HC Deb 30 January 1984 vol 53 c18
38. Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what recent advice on policies of good management he has given to Departments.

Mr. Hayhoe

My right hon. and noble Friend and I, with Sir Robin Ibbs and our officials, offer Departments advice, as appropriate, on all aspects of management, with particular emphasis being placed in recent months on ways to improve financial management and control in line with the Government's financial management initiative, progress on which was set out in the White Paper which we published last September.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Does the Minister believe that the decision to abolish trade unions at GCHQ is conducive to good management throughout the Civil Service? Will it hinder or help good industrial relations?

Mr. Hayhoe

The action taken at GCHQ, which was announced last week by my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary, was absolutely in tune with, and based on, the Employment Protection Act 1975 and the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978, which were introduced by the then Labour Government. The administrative action that was taken was precisely the same as that taken, as I understand it, by the Labour Government with regard to other groups in the security and intelligence services.

Mr. Soames

Does my hon. Friend agree that the MINIS system has been of value in the management of Civil Service departments? Does he have any plans to extend the programme throughout the rest of the Civil Service?

Mr. Hayhoe

As I think my hon. Friend is aware, a considerable effort is being made to extend MINIS-type systems throughout the Civil Service. I am glad to be able to report that good progress is being made.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

Will the Minister think again about his answer? Has not industrial action already been stimulated by the Government's action at GCHQ? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that union leaders have made it clear that they were prepared to discuss with the Government in public a no-strike clause and the removal of industrial tribunals relating to GCHQ? In the light of that, would it not have been better to have discussed these matters with the trade unions and reached an agreement on such difficult topics prior to making a decision?

Mr. Hayhoe

As I said earlier, a meeting has been arranged for Wednesday between the Prime Minister, some of her ministerial colleagues and leaders of the Civil Service trade unions. I shall say nothing today that might in any way affect that meeting.