§ 3.53 p.m.
§ Lord SHEPHERDMy Lords, my noble friend the Chief Whip intimated immediately after Questions that a Statement would be made about the unofficial strike and circumstances surrounding our services. I have seen the Statement. There is very little in it, and I wonder whether your Lordships might think that we could have it put into Hansard, so that we could continue with our Committee stage. I am entirely in your Lordships' hands.
§ Lord BYERSMy Lords, I should like to support that suggestion. I have seen the Statement, and I think it would be much better to put it into Hansard.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, I do not express any view about this, but in view of what the noble Lord the Leader of the House has said, the expression of opinion from the noble Lord, Lord Byers, and the silence with which both statements were received, I took it to be the wish of the House that that would be acceptable. I do not think it is for the Opposition to proceed to challenge that. I believe that is the will of noble Lords.
§ Lord SHEPHERDMy Lords, I am most grateful. If there are any circumstances which ought to be reported to your Lordships' House, I shall certainly do it tomorrow. But in my judgment the Statement at the moment would not be very helpful for the House.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, perhaps I may just say this. I should like to 30 reiterate the gratitude that we feel for the catering arrangements which we have already enjoyed. Those responsible for the catering in this House always serve us well, but I think we appreciate it even more today.
§ The Statements referred to are as follows :
§ "My Lords, with permission I will repeat a Statement made in another place by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Employment. His words were as follows:
§ "As from this morning the industrial Civil Servants employed by the Property Services Agency on providing maintenance and services to Government buildings in the Whitehall area and to the Houses of Parliament have begun unofficial strike action for an undefined period. I understand that about 430 people may be involved.
§ "This unofficial action is being taken in support of a claim by the trade unions concerned on behalf of all industrial civil servants for an interim increase pending their next annual settlement in July.
§ "The Lord Privy Seal has recently met trade union representatives to discuss the unions' claim and pointed out the difficulties involved in reconciling an interim increase with the TUC guidelines. A response to the claim can be expected soon.
§ "My right honourable friend the Lord President will be dealing with the possible effects of this unofficial action on the business of the House. Services to Government Departments could also be affected.
§ "In the light of the position as I have described it I very much hope that those concerned will lift the unofficial action and return to normal working."