§ 19. Mr. Steeleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why there has been such delay in preparing the Statutory Instrument embodying probation rules to authorise new salary scales agreed upon by the Probation Officers' Committee of the Scottish Joint Industrial Council on 25th October, 1957.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend made these Rules on 27th February, bringing the new scales into effect as from 1st July, 1957. The delay arose mainly because on 15th November the Negotiating Committee added a recommendation about scales for senior probation officers, and the application of these scales to women proved difficult.
§ Mr. SteeleWhy is there always this delay when dealing with Scottish probation officers, when the English Minister can always deal rapidly with probation officers in England? Can the hon. Gentleman give the date from which the new scales will operate and can he say whether the delay will have any effect on retrospective payment?
§ Mr. MacphersonI cannot answer for previous occasions. I cannot affirm or deny that there has been delay in the past. I can only give, as I have given, the reason on this occasion. The Scottish basic scales back-date to 1st July and the senior officers' scales to 1st March.