HC Deb 28 July 1982 vol 28 c528W
Mr. Timothy Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon (Mr. Proctor) on 29 June, Official Report, c 270, he expects to complete his consideration of the claim for recognition by the Immigration Service Union.

Mr. Whitelaw

The ISU has applied to the Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers Associations for a certificate of independence under the Employment Protection Act 1975. This involves an independent assessment of viability that I would prefer not to prejudge. I therefore propose to await the decision of the certification officer on the application before reaching a decision on the ISU's request for departmental recognition, provided the certification proceedings do not prove to be prolonged. I shall review the position after two months if the certification proceedings have not been completed by then.