HC Deb 05 March 1984 vol 55 c413W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the departmental staff association which Government communications headquarters staff are now permitted to join existed before the ban on trade union membership; and if its rules exclude any form of industrial action.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The staff association did not exist before the introduction of the measures which I announced on the 25 January. Its constitution will be for the staff to propose.