§ Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Employment what information his Department has received about the number of trade unions which are looking at ways of bringing their rule books into line with the provisions of the Trade Union Act 1984; and if he will list them.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTrade unions with political funds which intend to hold review ballots under the provisions of the 1984 Act in order to continue spending money on party political matters will need to adopt new rules for the holding of these ballots. Reports suggest that most of the 60 trade unions with political funds will choose to do so. The provisions of the 1984 Act relating to elections and ballots before industrial action place no specifc obligations on trade unions to alter their rules. However, press reports suggest that a number of trade unions are contemplating rule changes as a result of one or both of these provisions, including
The Association of Scientific Technical and Managerial StaffsThe Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (Engineering Section)The Engineers and Managers AssociationThe General Municipal Boilermakers and Allied Trades UnionThe Union of Communication WorkersThe United Road Transport Union.The provisions of the Act concerning union elections do not come into force until 1 October 1985.