HC Deb 27 November 1995 vol 267 cc495-6W
Mr. Robert McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received in respect of the objectivity of the commissioner for the rights of trade union members. [1409]

Mr. Ancram

None.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the annual cost of operating a separate Northern Ireland commissioner for the rights of trade union members over each of the last two years and the equivalent costs of its Great Britain counterpart; and, for both bodies, what were the numbers of inquiries resulting in an application for assistance in those two years. [1408]

Mr. Ancram

The information is as follows:

Annual operating costs £ Inquiries resulting in application for assistance
1993–94 1994–95 1993–94 1994–95
Northern Ireland Commissioner for the rights of Trade Union Members 31,741 33,643 7 15
(Great Britain) Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members 274,941 293,716 47 57