§ 22. Mr. MONTAGUEasked the Home Secretary whether is is aware that the pay scales of several of the higher ranks in the prison service have been improved during the past year or so amounting to many hundreds of pounds; that the uniform staff rates of pay stand practically the same as they did for about 15 years; that, on the recent consolidation or revision of pay, no practical increase was made in the pay rates of the uniform staff and that the officers had to calculate their pay for a year ahead to find out whether they would gain or lose; and whether he proposes to have the rates of pay reviewed?
§ Mr. LLOYDThe scales of pay of subordinate officers in the prison service were revised a year ago, and the effect of the new scales was to improve the immediate position of many and the prospects of all such officers. The new scales were settled after consultation with the Prison Officers' Representative Board, and my right hon. Friend knows of no grounds on which he would be justified in reopening the question at this date. After the scales for the subordinate ranks had been revised, some changes were made in the scales of pay of governors and medical officers. These changes were mainly adjustments involving comparatively small sums, and in no scale was there an increase of as much as £100.
§ 23. Mr. MONTAGUEasked the Home Secretary whether the general associations of Civil Service are recognised trade unions; if not, what are the limitations; whether the representative board for the prison staff operates in a similar manner to the above-mentioned associations; and why the prison officers' representative board are barred from placing a case before the industrial court or the Civil Service arbitration tribunal?
§ Mr. LLOYDThe question whether any association of civil servants is entitled to recognition as representing a particular grade depends on the extent of its membership among that grade. In so far as the question relates to prison staffs, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Waltham-stow, West (Mr. McEntee) on 12th November last.