§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State far Scotland if he is aware that the Morrison Committee Report on the Probation Service was published in March, 1962; what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken or propose to 167W take to implement the recommendations in that Report, particularly the recommendation that there should be a single negotiating body for the whole of Great Britain; and when the recommendations will be implemented.
§ Mr. NobleYes. I have consulted the bodies concerned on the Morrison Committee's recommendations regarding the organisation and administration of the Probation Service and their role in matrimonial conciliation; and I am now considering their views. I expect shortly to receive the advice from the Scottish Probation Advisory and Training Council on the Committee's recommendations on recruitment and training.
As already announced, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I intend to approach the interested parties about the establishment of Great Britain negotiating machinery. But priority had to be given to the recommendations regarding immediate increases in pay, and these were referred to the two existing negotiating bodies. A settlement has been reached in England and Wales, and arbitration is in progress on Scottish salaries. The Industrial Court held a hearing on the dispute in Edinburgh yesterday.