§ 34. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister for the Civil Service what consultations he has had with civil servants' professional associations about the effect of devolution policies on career structure.
§ The Minister of State, Civil Service Department (Mr. Charles R. Morris)There have been preliminary discussions between the official and staff sides of the Civil Service National Whitley Council about the implications for the Civil Service of devolution. The national staff side has been assured that there will be full consultation on this.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat will be the contractual legal position of a civil servant who, having joined the United Kingdom Civil Service, then had pressure put upon him to be a civil servant in a service subject to a Scottish assembly?
§ Mr. MorrisAs my hon. Friend will accept, there is some difficulty about replying to hypothetical questions, but I assure him that that point will be noted. Perhaps I may assure him, on the general issue, that no decisions in this matter have yet been taken.
§ Mr. GristDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that there are fears in certain parts of Wales, particularly South Glamorgan, about the Government's determination to pursue a devolution policy, and that they arise from the failure of a nationalised industry to move its regional headquarters to Cardiff, as was announced only this week?
§ Mr. MorrisI assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government will make their views known in the debate expected to take place next Monday.