Clause 5
Compensation Bill [Lords]
5:00 pm
Paddy Tipping (PPS (Rt Hon Jack Straw, Lord Privy Seal), Leader of the House of Commons; Sherwood, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman is honest enough to recognise that at the beginning I said that that was irregular, immoral and might prove to be illegal. I make no apology for UDM/Vendside, or for some sections of the NUM. I think that other trade unions have acted irresponsibly as well. However, we are talking about a small sector of the activities of trade unions.
That issue was brought to the fore by the two coal health claims involving those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vibration white finger. The Government are paying those bills, but in lots of cases, the trade union movement has collectively found the massive resources needed in order for a claim to be made. If a trade union member is aware that a deduction is being made for the collective good, and in their interest, they will not object. I am not including coal health claims—I write that off.