Conditions of Service (Hansard, 29 October 1990)

§ 50. Mr. Skinner
To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what representations he has received from the Civil Service trade unions about conditions of service; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Mellor
From time to time I receive representations from the civil service trade unions on a wide range of issues.

§ Mr. Skinner
When the Minister meets trade union representatives, will he tell them that he looks forward to the day when he will be able to negotiate civil servants' pay in a mark-dominated European currency?

§ Mr. Mellor
That will not be part of my presentation.

§ Mr. Holt
My right hon. and learned Friend may recall that not very long ago an announcement was made in the House that the Ministry of Defence would transfer many of its jobs to the north-east of England and to Teesside. However, it was announced in the north-east last week that that project may well be knocked on the head as a result of representations that have been made by the trade unions of the civil servants who do not wish to move to the north-east of England. Will my right hon. and learned Friend take this opportunity of saying that he will not allow such recalcitrance to stand in the way of a worthy project?

§ Mr. Mellor
Like the whole House, I note what my hon. Friend has said and I shall certainly pass his remarks on to the Ministry of Defence, which is responsible for the move. It is not one of my responsibilities. However, I am proud of the fact that under this Government four out of five civil 726 servants work outside Greater London. That is a significant and important development, to which we remain committed.