§ 21. Mr. John Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that adequate provision for security of employment is given to those employed by companies using closed shop agreements.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe Employment Act 1980 has made dismissal in a closed shop unfair where it was previously fair. An employee who is unfairly dismissed can claim compensation and an industrial tribunal may order his reinstatement. Short of compulsory direction of labour the law has never forced people to work together and so it has never guaranteed an employee that he will keep his job if his employer is determined to dismiss him at whatever cost in compensation. However, the Government are continuing to keep the law on the closed shop under review and it is one of the issues discussed in the Green Paper "Trade Union Immunities" (Cmnd. 8128.
§ 47. Mr. Wallerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from local authorities over the operation of the closed shop.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI have received no representations from local authorities concerning the operation of the closed shop since the Employment Act came into effect.