HC Deb 11 November 1991 vol 198 c780
42. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when he last met representatives of the civil service unions to discuss working conditions in London.

Mr. Renton

I meet civil service trade union representatives from time to time to discuss a variety of issues.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that the greatest grievance of civil servants working in London is that the London weighting allowance has been frozen since 1988? With a retail prices index last year of 13.9 per cent., they have now fallen 23 per cent. behind. Whereas people in the private sector are getting £3,000 or £4,000 London weighting, civil servants have been granted neither an increase nor a referral to arbitration. Will the Minister right that injustice in the very near future?

Mr. Renton

No, I do not believe that there is an injustice in that situation. There is no general retention or recruitment problem in London at present. It is true that the London weighting mechanism has been ruled out for the time being, but it could be ruled in again. Meanwhile, London pay issues are being addressed by London spine points and, where appropriate, local pay additions—and they are meeting all the necessary requirements.

Mrs. Gorman

Will my right hon. Friend enlighten me as to whether the civil service unions have had anything to do with removing a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen from the foyer facing Parliament square and relegating it to the back staircase, where it is hardly——

Mr. Speaker

Order. I do not think that is an appropriate question, but I will allow the hon. Lady to go on.

Mrs. Gorman

Can my right hon. Friend the Minister give an assurance that he will look into that matter?

Mr. Renton

I am not sure whether I should look into it wearing my hat as Minister of State with responsibilities for the civil service or as Minister for the Arts. Either way, I will gladly look into that matter.

Mr. Cormack

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I may point out that the question my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) was based on total misinformation.

Mr. Speaker

I just did not regard the hon. Lady's question as being particularly appropriate for the Minister when answering questions on the civil service, though it might have been more appropriate for the Minister for the Arts. Anyway, the hon. Lady asked it.