No evidence showing trade unionists are still being blacklisted has been handed to the Government despite several accusations, Business Minister Jo Swinson has said.
Prime Minister David Cameron was urged last week to call an inquiry and take more action to stop the blacklisting of construction workers after Dundee West Labour MP Jim McGovern said a recent Panorama broadcast highlighted the problem was still going on.
But Ms Swinson said no evidence of blacklisting, which it is claimed led to union members being denied work, has been presented since an Opposition Debate in the Commons on the issue on January 23.
Ms Swinson, in response to a parliamentary question from Labour MP Grahame Morris (Easington), said: “Blacklisting is an appalling practice and that is why we brought in the Blacklists Regulations in 2010 to make certain that it is illegal.”
The Liberal Democrat added: “Since the Opposition Debate on blacklisting… no evidence has been presented to Government to show that blacklisting of trade unionists is ongoing.
“There have been a lot of accusations, but we have not yet received any evidence that blacklisting continues. We continue to urge anyone who has such information to get in touch with the appropriate authorities.
“Similarly, I am not aware of any evidence that the Blacklists Regulations are not doing their job.”
A list containing more than 3,200 names was kept by the Consulting Association before it was closed down in 2009 after being raided by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
It was used by employers to check on workers involved in union or political activity or those who raised health and safety issues.
Unions are seeking compensation, arguing that those on the blacklist were denied work.
Last week Mr McGovern, addressing Mr Cameron during Prime Minister’s Questions, said: “I don’t know if you watched Panorama’s programme on Monday night but I’m sure you will be aware of the subject of blacklisting.
“The programme confirmed what many of us, particularly members of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee, already knew – that thousands of people in this country have been subjected to blacklisting.
“It’s been compared to McCarthyism. I think it is worse than that – it is secretive, it’s behind closed doors. Many people who are on a blacklist don’t even know they are on a blacklist.
“Can you call for an urgent inquiry into this practice, which I refer to not as McCarthyism, but as McAlpineism?”