GCHQ (Hansard, 19 May 1997)

§ Mr. Robin Cook

Yes; I issued the following press statement on 15 May which was placed in the Libraries of the House.

The Government have signalled their commitment to open and fair relations in the work place. As part of that commitment, I want today to right a long-standing wrong. Since 1984, we have been pledged to restore normal trade union rights to the staff of GCHQ. We are now honouring that pledge. I can announce that the conditions of service of staff at GCHQ have today been changed: they once again have the freedom they previously enjoyed to join any trade union they choose. Talks with the unions will begin as soon as possible to settle future arrangements for staff representation and to secure a collective agreement 14W on no disruption to the work of GCHQ which will ensure that GCHQ's operations are protected from any threat of industrial action.

Once they are complete, and once I am confident that the national security interest will continue to be properly protected, I will revoke the certificate that contains the remaining restrictions on access to industrial tribunals. This ensures that the existing protection arrangements will remain in place until we have a satisfactory alternative. Those former employees who were dismissed for continuing union membership and are below normal retirement age are free to apply for re-employment under the new conditions of service: each case will be treated sympathetically, within the normal civil service rules for such employment. GCHQ staff make a valuable contribution to protecting the liberties and freedoms of our country. Today's move enables them to share fully in one of the important liberties that they defend.