HC Deb 30 April 1964 vol 694 cc731-2
Mr. Brooke

I beg to move, in page 13, to leave out lines 23 to 30 and to insert: (6) The following provisions of this subsection shall have effect with respect to determinations under subsection (5) of this section and related matters—

  1. (a) no such determination shall have effect unless confirmed with or without modifications, by the Secretary of State;
  2. (b) the committee of magistrates shall not make or refuse to make any such determination with respect to terms and conditions of employment except after consultation with persons appearing to the committee to represent the interests of the officers affected;
  3. (c) any refusal of the Committee to make any such determination with respect to any 732 terms and conditions of employment may be reviewed by the Secretary of State and on the review the Secretary of State may confirm the refusal or make such determination with respect to those terms and conditions as he thinks fit;
  4. (d) in the case of any matter which falls to be determined under the said subsection (5) and.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

With this Amendment we can also take the Amendment in page 13, line 37.

Mr. Brooke:

Yes, Mr. Deputy-Speaker.

These Amendments are designed to make it clear that if the committee of magistrates for the inner London area rejects a proposal which would vary the terms and conditions of service of the staff of magistrates' courts in inner London, its decision is open to review by the Home Secretary, who may confirm the decision or, if he thinks fit, make an alternative decision with regard to terms and conditions. This provision accords with the view of the representatives of the staff of the Metropolitan magistrates' courts that if the committee rejects a staff proposal relating to terms and conditions of service there should be some means by which that decision can be reviewed. I hope that this will be regarded as an improvement, and will be acceptable to the House.

Sir F. Soskice

This, or an analogous matter, was the subject of considerable debate in Committee. My hon. Friend the Member for Goole (Mr. Jeger) took a prominent part in that debate. The Amendment does not coincide with the proposals advanced by my hon. Friend but it goes a considerable way to meet their spirit. I thank the right hon. Gentleman for proposing the Amendment, which certainly is an improvement.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 13, line 37, after "under", insert: paragraphs (a) to (c) of "—[Mr. Brooke.]