§ 15. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on his latest discussions with the Staff Association on Civil Service pay.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Civil Service Department (Mr. Kenneth Baker)I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 19th February.—[Vol. 851, c. 18–19.]
§ Mr. DalyellIn the discussions with the Civil Service could consideration be given to the position that has developed at Swansea, where the provision of provisional driving licences has been centralised? Is the Department aware of the chaos around the country for those who are applying for provisional licences? Can something be done in the interim, by restoring the old method of providing the licences locally or issuing temporary licences on the cashing of a cheque? Cannot something be done about a very difficult situation?
§ Mr. BakerThe reorganisation of the issuing of driving licences is too far advanced to put that whole administrative reform into reverse. The difficulties arose in the past fortnight because of sporadic industrial action, but the reports I have received today show that no civil servants—or hardly any—are continuing that action.