§ 28. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to the introduction of a legal requirement that existing closed shops be revalidated periodically by ballot of all employees at the place of work concerned.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe possibility of a legal requirement that all closed shop agreements be subject to a periodic review of support among the employees they cover is discussed in paragraphs 276 to 279 of the Green Paper on trade union immunities (Cmnd. 8128). This and other possibilities for changing the law in respect of the closed shop will be considered by the Government in the light of responses to the Green Paper.
§ 33. Mr. John Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the operation of closed shop agreements since the Employment Act 1980.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe Government have repeatedly stated their opposition on grounds of principle to closed shop agreements. The closed shop provisions of the Employment Act 1980 and the code of practice on closed shop agreements and arrangements have only been in effect since 15 August and 17 December, 1980, respectively.
When representative bodies in industry have commented upon the Green Paper on trade union immunities (Cmnd. 8128) we will be in a better position to assess the overall impact of these measures.