(2) with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Chichester of 27 February 2008, Official Report, column 1619W, on trades’ unions, what the Cabinet Office policy is on granting (a) paid and (b) unpaid time off for trades’ union representatives to undertake (i) trades’ union duties and (ii) political campaigning.
Cabinet Office has a partnership agreement with our Departmental Trade Union Side—Public and Commercial Services Union, First Division Association and Prospect. The agreement provides the trade unions’ representatives with appropriate resources, including office working space, in order to fulfil their responsibilities.
Cabinet Office trade unions’ representatives can apply to their managers for special leave to fulfil their responsibilities.