HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 125 cc665-6
26. Mr. Skinner

To ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, whether there are any plans to review the wages and conditions of those staff working in the House; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Beith

(on behalf of the House of Commons Commission): Under the requirements of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978, the grading and pay of staff of the House are kept broadly in line with those in the home Civil Service and are linked appropriately. Pay of staff of the House is reviewed at the same time as, and in line with, that in the Civil Service.

Under similar provisions, the other conditions of staff of the House are kept broadly in line with those in the Home Civil Service. These are reviewed from time to time and changes may be applied after management has taken account of the circumstances of the House, in consultation, as appropriate, with the trade unions.

Mr. Skinner

Will the deputy leader of the official wing of the Liberal party, if he can wrest himself away from all these merger talks—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member is answering for the Commission.

Mr. Skinner

That is his title. Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that some of the wages and conditions of staff who work in the House—those who clock on and off, unlike hon. Members—are paltry by standards outside? Will he also bear in mind that recently there have been several instances of staff being treated, particularly by Tory Members, as if it was "Upstairs Downstairs"? They are being treated like servants. Will he draw the attention of his colleagues to that fact and stop this nonsense?

Mr. Beith

I knew that I can rely on the hon. Gentleman to offer me a friendly and encouraging word on matters outside the terms of reference of the Commission.

The day-to-day working of the Refreshment Department, as with that of other Departments of the House, is a matter for the head of that Department, but, in my view, the pay and conditions of staff compare favourably with those elsewhere in the public sector and outside. If the hon. Gentleman has particular cases to pursue, he ought to pursue them with the head of the Refreshment Department—as I know that he has in an individual case—or with the Chairman of the Catering Sub-Committee.

Mr. Boyes

Will the hon. Member accept that, particularly at Christmas time, the Members' kiosk has very long queues and that the staff work exceptionally hard for what is not satisfactory, but highly unsatisfactory, pay? Will he consider whether, at times such as Christmas, those members of staff ought to go on to a commission basis, as well as receiving their wages?

Mr. Beith

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that the staff in the kiosk worked extremely hard for hon. Members during that busy period before Christmas. The provision of the kiosk is a matter for the Services Committee. I shall see that all concerned are aware of the hon. Gentleman's representations.