§ 39. Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the incidence of work place ballots under the provisions of the Employment Act 1984.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Trade Union Act 1984 deals with ballots for the election of trade union principal executive committees, ballots before industrial action and ballots on trade union political funds. The first and third of these provisions will come into force respectively on 1 October and 31 March 1985. The provisions governing ballots before industrial action came into force on 26 September this year. There is no requirement to notify the Department about ballots. One ballot has so far been held as a direct result of an employer seeking an injunction under the Trade Union Act. In that case, I understand that the ballot was conducted at the work place and was fully in accordance with the provisions of the Act.