§ Mr. Steeleasked the Minister of labour whether he has yet received notice of a dispute which has arisen in the Probation Officers' Committee of the Scottish Joint Industrial Council for Local Authority Services with reference to the salaries of principal, depute principal and senior probation officers in Scotland; when he received notice of this dispute; and what action he has taken about it.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodAt the end of May the Staff Side of the Probation Officers' Committee of the Scottish Joint Industrial Council for Local Authority Services requested that this dispute should be referred to the Industrial Court. I understand, however, that there is a possibility of negotiations between the parties being resumed.
§ Mr. Steeleasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the dispute regarding the salaries of probation 15W officers in Scotland involves a total expenditure of approximately £220 per annum; and whether he will give an estimate of the cost which would be involved in the setting up of arbitration machinery to deal with this matter.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIt is understood that the difference now between the parties is of the order of the amount stated.
It is estimated that a hearing by the Industrial Court in Edinburgh would involve additional expenditure of about £75.