asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the role of the certification inspector in Northern Ireland.[HL6686]

There is no certification inspector in Northern Ireland. There is, however, a certification officer who is responsible for:

maintaining a list of trade unions and employers' associations;

receiving and scrutinising annual returns from trade unions and employers’ associations;

determining complaints concerning trade union elections, certain other ballots and breaches of trade union rules;

ensuring observance of statutory requirements governing mergers between trade unions and between employers’ associations;

overseeing the political funds and the finances of trade unions and employers associations; and

certifying the independence of trade unions.

More detailed information on the role of the certification officer and the relevant legislation canbe found on the certification officer’s website at www.nicertoffice.com/contents2005.htm.