To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps the Certification Officer may take to investigate the affairs of a trade union. (179430)

[holding answer 16 January 2008]: The certification officer has no statutory authority to undertake general investigations into the affairs of trade unions. He may, in specified circumstances, appoint inspectors to investigate and report upon the financial affairs of a trade union (except certain federated trade unions). He may also, if he thinks there is good reason to do so, require a trade union to produce relevant documents and explanations of the documents.