HC Deb 19 March 1990 vol 169 cc882-3
29. Mr. Skinner

To ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he has any proposals to seek to improve the wages and conditions of staff employed at the House of Commons; and if he will make a statement,

Mr. Beith

The House of Commons Commission has a statutory duty to ensure that the pay and other conditions of service of the staff of the House Departments are kept broadly in line with those in the Civil Service. Within this constraint, the Commission seeks to exercise its responsibilities towards staff according to the best public service practices. Pay is reviewed at the same time as, and in line with, that in the Civil Service, the grading of staff is periodically reviewed with the advice of the staff inspector, and other conditions of service are reviewed as necessary in consultation with the relevant trade unions. The Commission has no responsibility for staff employed by Government agencies or Departments, or by Members themselves.

Mr. Skinner

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, if the young people employed in the canteens and the Tea Room do not clock on, are 15 minutes late, or do not clock off, they are liable to have, and have had, £6 stopped from their pay? That is the equivalent of two hours' pay. Is not it ironic that whereas people who are running their legs off to look after Members of Parliament and provide them with their cafeteria services are having their money stopped because they do not clock on or off promptly—they do not get any more money if they come in early— Members of Parliament have a pairing, flexitime system which means that only 50 or 60 of them need turn up for work and their money is in the tin? If pairing is all right for Members of Parliament, why is it not all right for the staff?

Mr. Beith

An excellent service, through to the late hours of the night, is provided by the staff in the Tea Room and other Refreshment Department outlets. I shall look into the specific issue that the hon. Gentleman raised.

Sir Alan Glyn

Will the hon. Gentleman reflect on facilities for the staff, some of whom work here for long periods but who have nowhere to lie down and rest in between those periods?

Mr. Beith

The Commission and the House authorities are aware of that point and have sought to make progress on it. Many constraints are imposed by this building, some of which we hope will be relieved by the opening of the new parliamentary building across the street.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Why is it that the Refreshment Department has a balance of nearly £2 million yet staff in the dining rooms throughout the House complain that they are underpaid, despite the assurances given by the hon. Gentleman? Is not it now necessary for a review of all salary and wage levels in the Department and for some action to be taken? It is improper for Members of Parliament, in effect, to feed on the back of cheap labour in the House.

Mr. Beith

I do not think that it can be contended that the House employs cheap labour by the standards of the catering industry in general. The arrangements to keep House staff pay in line with Civil Service pay would, if broken, give rise to considerable argument, not least from the trade unions. The Commission keeps these matters under constant and careful review.