HC Deb 18 February 1985 vol 73 cc725-6
36. Mr. Terry Davis

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he last met Civil Service unions; and what subjects were discussed.

38. Mr. Parry

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what subjects were discussed at his last meeting with representatives of the Civil Service unions.

The Minister of State, Treasury (Mr. Barney Hayhoe)

I last met the Civil Service unions on 4 December 1984 to discuss the Government's decisions on the 1984 report of the Top Salaries Review Body. The unions also took the opportunity to discuss with me some recent changes in travel and subsistence provisions.

Mr. Davis

Is it not surprising that the Minister did not take the opportunity to discuss the problem of low pay and low morale in the Civil Service? Will he take this opportunity to deny the reports in last week's newspapers that if a civil servant engages in industrial action it will affect his promotion prospects?

Mr. Hayhoe

I did not discuss low pay and the other matter that the hon. Gentleman raised because it was not on the agenda for the meeting, nor was it raised by the representatives of the Civil Service unions.

As for the report to which the hon. Gentleman refers, I can deny that any new proposals are being brought forward. There is no general ban upon and no bar to the promotion of civil servants who may take part in industrial action, but, of course, this may be taken into account by those concerned as one of the factors that will determine their decision.

Mr. Parry

Have there been any recent discussions or consultations with the Civil Service unions concerning the use of computers in passport offices? If so, what has been the reaction of the unions?

Mr. Hayhoe

That question ought to be addressed to my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary, who is now responsible for the Passport Office.

Dr. Mawhinney

Did my hon. Friend raise with the Civil Service unions the increased effectiveness of Customs and Excise staff in preventing the illegal importation of drugs into this country and express to them the appreciation of the House? Do not these increased seizures justify and vindicate the Government's decision to use Customs and Excise staff more flexibly?

Mr. Hayhoe

That matter was not discussed, but I am willing to follow my hon. Friend's invitation to pay tribute, which I hope I can do on behalf of all hon. Members, to the splendid work done by Customs and Excise staff over drugs seizures.

Sir Anthony Grant

Did my hon. Friend discuss with the Civil Service unions those civil servants who were dismissed for breaking the rules of confidence of the Civil Service, such as my constituent, Mr. Robin Page, who was dismissed by a previous Labour Government for exposing the way in which Labour Ministers were misleading the House?

Mr. Hayhoe

That matter was not discussed, but it puts into better perspective some of the hypocritical comments that we have heard from Opposition Members.

Dr. McDonald

Will the Minister ensure that discussions with the Civil Service unions continue in order to draw up a new code of ethics to ensure civil liberties for civil servants? Will he also consider adopting as his model the American code of ethics, which asks civil servants to expose corruption wherever it occurs and to put loyalty to the highest moral principles and to the country above loyalty to persons, party or Government Departments?

Mr. Hayhoe

The rules and guidance for civil servants remain as they have been for many years under successive Governments. Those rules certainly forbid breaches of trust, such as we have seen recently. If there is any need to reinforce those rules to make them clear to existing civil servants and future recruits, that will be done.