HC Deb 02 September 1998 vol 317 cc865-6W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will exempt small and medium sized businesses from his proposed statutory trade union recognition requirements. [54457]

Mr. Ian McCartney

[holding answer 31 July 1998]: As stated in the Fairness at Work White Paper, the Government propose to exempt firms employing twenty or fewer employees from the statutory recognition procedure.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will raise the threshold for the size of firm required to recognise a trade union. [54456]

Mr. Ian McCartney

[holding answer 31 July 1998]: The Government's current policy on the threshold is as set out in the Fairness at Work White Paper, which was published on 21 May 1998.