§ 32. Mr. Dribergasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how soon negotiations with civil servants in the various drawing office grades are to be resumed and completed, in accordance with the assurance contained in a letter dated 26th September, 1966, from the official staff side of the Whitley Council.
§ Mr. DiamondAs soon as practicable after the White Paper on the criteria to govern increases in incomes during the period of severe restraint has been published, and after discussions with the staff side of the National Whitley Council on its application to the Civil Service have been completed.
§ Mr. DribergIs my right hon. Friend aware that that does not quite answer my Question? I was asking him when the discussions between the official side and the staff side would be resumed and completed. May we take it that we do not have to wait for the period of severe restraint for them at least to re-start?
§ Mr. DiamondI thought that I had given that precise answer to my hon. Friend by saying "as soon as practicable … after the White Paper has been published". The White Paper is expected very shortly.
§ Mr. McMasterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this group of civil servants has been unfairly treated compared with other grades in the Civil Service who have had a Whitley Council rise? Will he give a guarantee that the rise of at least a 4½ per cent. cost of living bonus will be retrospective?
§ Mr. DiamondThese are matters for discussion.