HC Deb 09 May 1988 vol 133 cc18-9
68. Mr. Allen

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what representations he has received from Civil Service or civil servant unions about the proposals for the privatisation and creation of new agencies to assume the work of some sections of Government Departments.

Mr. Luce

I have received two representations about the creation of agencies.

Mr. Allen

Is the Minister aware that he needs to state clearly from the Dispatch Box the exact position that the Government are adopting on agencies in relation to trade unions? On 18 February the Minister's Office issued a central guidance note to managers in Departments. The note said: the new arrangements for agencies will not undermine national bargaining on terms and conditions of service including pay and the unions will be fully consulted on the handling of the proposals. That contradicts many of the Minister's statements in the House. Which view is correct—the Minister's, or the one issued by his Department?

Mr. Luce

There is a clear commitment that, when final decisions are to be taken on the implementation of certain agency proposals, there will be proper consultation with the unions. Until we have identified which agencies are to have that kind of agreement, we cannot say. The unions will be fully consulted at that stage. As for national bargaining, negotiations on most conditions of service for departmental agencies are conducted centrally, and that will continue.

Ms. Mowlam

What percentage of first division civil servants are women? How has that percentage changed since 1984, when the programme for action was introduced—

Mr. Speaker

Order. It would be more appropriate to raise that point on the next question.