Trade Union Bill

Debate between Lord Collins of Highbury and Lord Monks

Wednesday 10th February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Collins of Highbury]

The trade union movement in this country is one of the most highly regulated in the world. It is required to submit an annual return to the Certification Officer. Every single penny that is held in trust of the membership is accounted for in that annual return. Every single penny is also recorded in the published annual report. This is far more transparent than any private company that donates to the Conservative Party. As I said, that is money that it may spend on political purposes. It does not have to. It could be for a campaign for civil liberties or voter registration, or a campaign against racists and fascists—and for safety at work, and lots of other things.

[Lord Monks]

Or supporting a Conservative Member of Parliament.

[Lord Leigh of Hurley]

I thank you. I did actually read the Certification Officer’s report this afternoon. It details exactly income and expenditure, union by union, but it does not specify exactly where the money goes.