asked the Secretary of State for Employment if it is his intention that he will ensure that any closed shop arrangements entered into subsequent to the presentation of the Employment Bill should be subject to the provisions relating to ballot of members contained in the Bill.

The provision in the Bill relating to ballots on closed shops will apply to union membership agreements which take effect after the relevant section of the Employment Act 1980 comes into operation. It will not apply retrospectively to closed shop arrangements entered into before the Bill is enacted.