§ 24. Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will study the implications of recent cases concerning the use of trade union political funds with a view to considering amending legislation.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkWe are aware of these cases and we have included in the Trade Union Bill provisions designed to remove the uncertainties which have arisen about the operation of the Trade Union Act 1913. For example, the Bill contains an updated and clarified definition of the activities which must be financed only from trade unions' political funds. The revised definition makes it clear that, amongst other things, expenditure on the pro vision of any property for use by a political party should be regarded as126W political expenditure. The Bill also contains a provision to make clear that political fund deficits may not be paid off from union funds other than the political fund.