§ 65. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what negotiations took place with the Nigerian Association of Civil Servants before changes in the future conditions of civil servants were laid down in the revised Constitution; whether the main provision of these will be written into the Constitution; what action is being taken by the Nigerian Government on the official side of the Whitley Council; and if an assurance can be given that the Government is prepared to negotiate with the association on all matters affecting their service.
§ Mr. LytteltonBetween August and January last much informal consultation took place between representatives of the Nigerian Government and of the Association of Senior Civil Servants and I met 77W a delegation from the association at the close of the constitutional conference in Lagos. It is proposed that the main provisions in question should be written into the Constitution so far as is appropriate at the present stage.
As regards the last two parts of the Question, major political decisions such as that to regionalise the Nigerian public service are not appropriate for negotiation either in Whitley Council or with staff associations but the Nigerian Government intend to continue their practice of consulting the staff association on detailed matters affecting conditions of service.