§ 32. Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received in response to the Green Paper, "Democracy in Trade Unions."
§ 55. Mr. Charles Wardleasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations have been made in response to the 1982 Green Paper about trade union democracy.
§ Mr. GummerMore than 150 organisations and individuals submitted comments on the Green Paper. The consultations showed a very wide support for legislation to safeguard the democratic rights of trade union members. In particular, there was general agreement that the governing bodies of trade unions should be elected by secret ballot of the members; that steps should be taken to promote the holding of ballots before union members are called out on strike; and that the present arrangements in the Trade Union Act 1913 concerning the political funds of trade unions are no longer operating satisfactorily. The Government's proposals for legislation in these areas were published on Tuesday 12 July.