asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Paddington, Official Report, 23 January, column 257, if he will now take steps to provide the figures and cost of employees engaged in trade union activities, both nationally and for the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster area health authority.

My Department has asked health authorities, including Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster area health authority, for some information on the numbers of accredited trade union representatives in the National Health Service engaged either full time or more than half time in trade union duties, and I shall write to my hon. Friend when this information is available.