HC Deb 16 June 1998 vol 314 cc157-8W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures she is taking to safeguard workers' rights to form unions. [45503]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The Government have no plans to change the existing law which allows workers in the United Kingdom to form trade unions. Once formed, trade unions are subject to the requirements of Part I of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 as regards accounting records, annual returns, audit, elections for certain positions, the use of funds for certain political objects, etc.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures she is taking to protect workers who are associated with trade union organisations from discrimination by their employers. [45504]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The White Paper "Fairness at Work", published on 21 May, set out proposals to supplement the existing protection against dismissal or action short of dismissal on grounds of trade union membership or non-membership. The Government intend to provide protection against discrimination by omission, and to prohibit the blacklisting of trade unionists.