§ 25. Mr. Molloyasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will meet representatives from the Civil Service Union to discuss problems arising from devolution in Scotland with particular reference to the Forestry Commission.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisI should be ready to meet representatives of the Civil Service Union to discuss these problems. Since they pertain to devolution, I would propose to meet the representatives in company with my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Privy Council Office.
§ Mr. MolloyIs my right hon. Friend aware that that answer will be welcomed by those specialist officers of the Civil Service Union who are concerned about the future career structure of their members employed by the Forestry Commission? They are particularly concerned about establishment negotiations and the future careers of their members.
§ Mr. MorrisI am aware of those facts and would be delighted to give consideration to the anxieties of the Civil Service Union in this regard in any discussions that I have with it.
§ Mr. CarmichaelFurther to the point about job opportunities with the Forestry Commission, will my right hon. Friend take into account that one of the important points in considering the dispersal of jobs to Scotland is that because many young people who pass the Civil Service examination have to leave Scotland to get jobs they are anxious that there should be more Civil Service jobs in Scotland?
§ Mr. MorrisMy hon. Friend is right. There are many academically well qualified youngsters in Scotland who could make a positive contribution to government administration were they to be recruited to the Civil Service. Basically, that is the whole justification for the Government's programme in dispersing the Civil Service to Scotland.