HL Deb 30 January 1978 vol 388 cc574-5

2.39 p.m.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will recommend to the Governor of Hong Kong payment to the 400 shorthand-audiotypists employed by the Government on a scale equivalent to the increases given to other female staff under the equal pay scheme.

The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

My Lords, I am taking steps to get negotiations between the Hong Kong Government and the Shorthand and Audiotypists' Association reopened.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, though I greatly appreciate that Answer, may I ask my noble friend whether it is not the case that in 1971 there was a very commendable equal pay decision between men and women in Hong Kong but that, because these typists do not have one man in their grade, they have not had the advantage of this equal pay proposal? I hope these negotiations will be successful.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, my noble friend sums up the position very fairly, and I join with him in a strong hope that at least an interim arrangement will be possible as a result of the new negotiations pending the institution of a regular statutory provision for settling disputes such as this.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, how long does the Minister think it will be before this matter is satisfactorily settled?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I trust that the negotiations, which I hope the Hong Kong Government will institute at once, may lead immediately to a number of adjustments. As for the long-term provision for the settlement of disputes across the board throughout the public sector, that might take a little longer, but it will be well worth waiting for because Hong Kong needs it.