§ Mr. Gwilym JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from Mrs. Pamela Wilkins and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers about the result of an election to the executive committee of the former National Union of Seamen; how many representations he has received about electoral fraud in the trade unions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Employment has received no representations about that particular election. However, continuing public concern about electoral fraud in trade unions led to the proposals in the Green Paper "Industrial Relations in the 1990s", Cm. 1602, which would help ensure that the basic right of union members to free and fair elections is effectively protected. The Government announced on 28 January that they intend to bring forward legislation to put those proposals into effect.