HC Deb 27 July 1936 vol 315 cc1094-5
72 and 73. Mr. T. SMITH

asked the Home Secretary (1), whether there is any objection to the Prison Officers' Representative Board and the Broadmoor Asylum Staff Board being represented on the National Whitley Council; and, if so, what is the objection;

(2) whether there are any regulations against prison officers, the Broadmoor Asylum staff, or the respective representative boards placing any cases in dispute with the Departments, such as questions of pay, before the Civil Service Industrial Court; and, if so, what are the regulations?

Sir J. SIMON

Arbitration by the Industrial Court under the scheme agreed for the Civil Service is open only to recognised associations of civil servants within the scope of the National Whitley Council. The staffs in question are not within the scope of the National Whitley Council and the alternative system of representative boards was specially designed to afford them full opportunities of making representations on matters affecting their interests. The system, I believe, has worked satisfactorily and I have no information indicating that a change would be desirable.

Mr. SMITH

If I supply the right hon. Gentleman with information, will he consider it?

Sir J. SIMON

Certainly, but at present no representations have been received from the staff in favour of any alteration.