During 1995 and 1996 the Executive Committee and the Secretariat at Central House have worked hard on your behalf to raise the profile of the Federation within the Trade Union and Labour Movement. We bear in mind, of course, your Conference policy decided in 1995 that the GFTU should attempt to become a major player. The Executive Committee determined, following Conference, that this objective should be a four year strategy culminating at the 1999 Conference - which is also our Centenary Conference.

So we are halfway in the timescale towards this major player status. I believe that we are half way there in terms of achievement but you must be the judge of that.

I honestly believe that significant advances have been made since our last Conference in 1995. In terms of education and training we have continued to expand our provision and have also diversified that range of courses. I can report a remarkable increase in the demand for customised courses by affiliated unions. We have strengthened the Education Trust administration by the installation of a new computerised database making our Secretariat more efficient and effective.

Our previous Education Officer, Ann McLachlan, left us at the end of 1996 as she wished to obtain employment nearer her home in the North West. However, I am delighted to be able to introduce our new Education Officer, Andrew Harvey, to you and I hope that you will take the opportunity afforded by the Conference to discuss education and training matters to him.

In respect of our Research Service we have maintained and enhanced the high quality of provision for affiliates. The main areas of demand have been for company information and case law. We have progressed in terms of technology by the introduction of CD-ROM and online searches and intend to make further progress in these areas over the next two years.

Over the period 1995/6 delegations from the Executive Committee have visited Zimbabwe and Denmark. I am delighted to welcome our visitors from the Zimbabwe Textile Workers Union to Conference. These important visits enable us to study at first hand Unions and industrial relations in the countries visited. For example, in Denmark we visited a training centre operated by the LO and were immensely impressed by the whole set up which provided excellent facilities for union representatives. We can learn much from dialogue with trades unionists outside of the UK for the benefit of our members.

In terms of finance the Federation, as you will see from our accounts, has a strong and stable position. However, we have suffered a set back with the withdrawal of a major tenant following the expiry of their lease. We are unable to let the floors in their current state and the Executive Committee has decided to refurbish. This is an expensive decision but one we are sure is right for the GFTU in the long term. From a financial view the next two years will be difficult for the Federation but with your support I am confident we can come through this period and emerge stronger than ever to service the needs of your members.

Our members have suffered two more years of Tory Government since our last Conference. Our manufacturing base has been so eroded that it now only comprises some 25% of Gross Domestic Product of the United Kingdom. We have seen the continuing spectre of redundancies mixed with the appalling sight of 'fat-cats' enjoying huge earnings at the expense of working people. We must rebuild our great manufacturing capability to create the wealth our country so desperately needs to provide good quality education and health arrangements for all of the people of our country.

At this Conference we have two members of the Executive Committee standing down. We will be making presentations at the end of Conference but I would like to pay my tribute now. Mike Murray was elected to the Committee in 1983 and has made a major contribution to the Federation since that time. Bill McCready was elected to the Committee in 1995 and has made an extremely valuable contribution to the Federation since his election. I wish both of our colleagues every happiness in the future.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all of the people who have helped me during my term of office. My vice-chair, Tony McCarthy, the Executive Committee, the General Secretary, Mike Bradley, but most of all to my Union for allowing me the time to carry out the required duties.

I hope that we have a good and productive Conference. I will do my utmost to ensure full and fair debate. With your support and commitment there is no reason why the GFTU cannot continue to go from strength to strength and continue to help you in your difficult job of representing your members effectively and efficiently.

Thank you.