§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to proceed with the case for the defence in the trial of Webster and Young before the European Court.
§ Mr. MayhewThe case referred to in the question is currently before the European Commission of Human Rights, not the European Court. When the Government took office, the Commission was about to hold a further oral hearing, before deciding on the merits of the case. It had already declared the case to be admissible in respect of two separate applications. The Government, while wishing to ensure that the Commission is made aware of the distinctive views and intentions of the present Administration regarding the closed shop, have no wish to delay the decision of the Commission, and they will determine their course of action very shortly.