§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to curb trade union power.
§ Mr. GummerA strong and effective trade union movement, properly securing the interests of its members, has a valuable part to play in our society. The Government's steps to curb abuses in respect of the closed shop, picketing, indiscriminate secondary action and industrial action outside the context of a trade dispute all help towards a responsible approach. The forthcoming Bill on democracy in trade unions will provide that trade union executives must be elected by secret ballot of their members; that trade unions will have immunity to call industrial action only if they have consulted their members in a secret ballot; and that trade unions must also consult their members by secret ballot if they wish to retain a political fund and continue to engage in political activities.