§ Mr. Lathamasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the occasions and dates since 2 July 1981 when he or any of his departmental Ministers have met official representatives of the Trades Union Congress at a formal meeting to discuss policy issues, excluding meetings with departmental unions about Whitley conditions; and whether there has been any occasion when he has refused to meet a Trades Union Congress deputation after the congress has officially requested one.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI met TUC representatives on 24 July 1981 and 10 February and 31 March 1982. My right hon. and learned Friend the Chief Secretary attended the meeting on 24 July 1981 and a further meeting held by the Prime Minister on 1 September 1981. My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary attended the meeting on 10 February 1982.
I and my colleagues also have the opportunity to see TUC representatives regularly when we attend the monthly meetings of the National Economic Development Council.
On no occasion have I or other Treasury Ministers refused a formal request for a meeting with official representatives of the TUC.