§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers to negotiate and take industrial action it is proposed that the proposed staff associations at the Government communications headquarters will have; and whether they will be free to apply for affiliation to the Trades Union Congress.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweAlthough the detailed arrangements for negotiation and consultation will have to be worked out in discussion with the new staff association, the aim will be to cover the same range of subjects as under existing arrangements. It is envisaged that the new system will be closely modelled on the present departmental Whitley pattern and that matters of pay, conditions of service and procedure will be included. Representatives of the staff association will be entitled to represent and advise individuals on request in personal cases.
Industrial action would clearly be damaging in the special circumstances of GCHQ and would therefore have to be excluded.
The approval of the director of GCHQ will not be given for affiliation by the new staff association to the Trades Union Congress.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library 228W a copy of the certificates signed on 25 January under section 121(4) of the Employment Protection Act 1975 and section 138(4) of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI have already done so.