§ 35. Sir William van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he has so far had with the Trades Union Congress on the future of union political levies.
§ Mr. GummerNone, but, as my right hon. Friend told my hon. Friends, the Members for Christchurch (Mr. Adley), and Berkshire, East (Mr. MacKay) earlier today, we have written to the TUC inviting it to discuss the steps which the trade unions might take to ensure that their members are fully aware of their statutory rights regarding the political levy and able to excercise them fully.
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§ 54. Mr. Alexanderasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to require trade unions to publish accounts which show separately expenditure for political purposes from that for normal union activities.
§ Mr. GummerTrade unions already have to provide separate information about expenditure from political funds in the annual returns which they are required to send to the Certification Officer and which are available to union members and to the public. However, in the discussions about the political levy to which my right hon. Friend has invited the TUC, we shall wish to consider ways in which this information might be amplified and made more readily accessible to union members.