§ 4. Mr. Doddsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can yet give any details of the result of the conversations with the staff representatives on the introduction of equal pay in the Civil Service.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThese talks are in active progress, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement about them.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the hon. Gentleman be a little more forthcoming and say how long it will be before the conversations are likely to end so that a statement can be made, and whether that is likely to be before Christmas?
§ Mr. BrookeWith the best will in the world, I cannot give the hon. Member a definite answer to that question, because it depends not only on the Official Side but on the Staff Side. The talks have been going well, and I hope that they will not be unduly prolonged.