§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to expedite a decision on the pay claim affecting members of the Custody Service in his Department.
§ Mr. FreesonThe basic rates of pay of all industrial civil servants, including members of the Custody Service in my Department, are due for review with effect from 1st July 1974. The review is conducted on the Joint Consultative Council for Government Industrial Establishments and negotiations are now in progress.
Claims for increases in pay for specific groups of industrial employees in my Department such as custody guards are negotiated on the Works Services Trades Joint Council and are initiated by the trade unions represented on the council. No claim on behalf of custody guards is currently under consideration on the council. The employers' side secretary of the custody guards Whitley Committee who recently made representations about their pay is being told about the correct procedure for putting forward a claim.
§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the number of staff in post in the Custody Service is adequate for 363W security protection of Her Majesty's Government's buildings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonThe responsibility for security protection of Government buildings rests with occupying Departments which demand the services of custody guards as necessary. Up to date the Custody Service has arranged to meet all its commitments.