HC Deb 02 February 1990 vol 166 cc375-6W
Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the number of workers refused employment because of non-membership of a trade union.

Mr. Nicholls

There is no requirement for workers who are refused employment on the grounds of non-membership of a trade union to report such refusals to my Department. In any case, such a requirement would be of limited value. It would not, for instance, provide information which would take account of vacancies filled by way of arrangements to which non-members of unions are denied access. Nor could it take into account those workers who decide not to apply for a particular position because they are aware of the operation of a closed shop.