§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances the Government would allow unions to represent again employees at GCHQ.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Government have made it clear that their overriding objective remains to ensure the maintenance of continuous operations at GCHQ for the protection of national security. It is necessary to ensure that the staff are not subject to potential conflicts of loyalty. The Government are willing to consider any proposals which are consistent with that objective. All staff at GCHQ are free to join the Government Communications Staff Federation which is listed as a trade union under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. More than 50 per cent. have done so.