§ Mr. PatnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many requests for assistance have been received by the new commissioner for the rights of trade union members; and if he plans to introduce measures to extend the commissioner's powers.
§ Mr. NichollsI understand that up to the beginning of this month, the commissioner for the rights of trade union members has received over 100 inquiries and 19 formal applications for assistance.
Proposals to extend the commissioner's powers were made in the Green Paper "Removing Barriers to Employment". The Government are considering responses to these proposals and an announcement will be made in due course.