§ LORD BARNBYI beg to ask the question standing in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether their attention has been called to assurances given in this House on April 3 to the effect that the relevant organization representing scientists in the Civil Service were satisfied with the new rates of pay; whereas in fact the Institution of Professional Civil Servants, which is the main organization representing the scientists in the Civil Service, has not agreed the salary scales, but is still negotiating on complements and grading, in the light of the new rates which have been imposed without agreement by administrative action; and whether a statement can be made setting out the precise position with regard to this matter.]
§ 2.35 p.m.
LORD PAKENHAMMy Lords, it is quite true that the new and higher rates of pay for scientists in the Civil Service have been introduced without the Government being able to secure the agreement of their representative body, but the Government are continuing negotiations with a view to finding agreement to proposals which should by and large secure the declared purpose of the Government, and provide scientists in the Civil Service with a career equal to all those in other 555 sections of the Service. If an earlier answer of mine, elicited from me in the course of a debate on April 3, and hedged about with a certain number of qualifications, gave a false impression then to any-body in the House, or subsequently, I must ask the House to accept my sincere apologies.