To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to bring trade union law in Northern Ireland into line with that in the rest of the United Kingdom.

It is my intention to bring forward a proposal for legislation in Northern Ireland which will reflect the provisions of the Trade Union Act 1984 and the industrial relations provision of the Employment Acts 1988 and 1989. The application to Northern Ireland of provisions equivalent to those in the current Employment Bill will be considered in due course following discussions with interested bodies.