§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many employees have not yet been given the opportunity to vote on closed shop agreements affecting them since the passage of the Employment Act 1982; and what proportion of employees compelled to remain in union membership this represents;
(2) if he will bring forward to November 1983 the date for compliance with the balloting provisions of section 7(3) of the Employment Act 1980 in view of the number of employees whose jobs are dependent on their membership of trade unions.
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§ Mr. GummerWe do not know if any ballots on closed shop agreements have yet been carried out in accordance with section 3 of the Employment Act 1982. The Act does not require the holding of such ballots; but in the absence of a ballot any employee, even if he is now a trade union member, will be assured of protection against future dismissal for not holding a union card. There is therefore nothing to be gained by a trade union or employer refusing to hold a ballot. Some may decide, as for example Birmingham city council has already done, simply to end their closed shop agreement. We have already made it clear that we are prepared to bring forward the date of implementation of the relevant balloting provision if there is further evidence of closed shop abuses.