§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he is taking towards resolving the dispute which is causing disruption of normal working at the passport office in Peterborough and extra pressure on those staff who are working normally.
§ Mr. ChannonProduction and material supply problems in Her Majesty's Stationery Office during the year, coupled with an increase in demand on the passport office above that budgeted for, left stocks in passport offices at low levels when staff, who are members of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants, began a dispute about their pay. The IPCS action has disrupted the emergency arrangements which were in train to improve the stock level.
As far as action to resolve this dispute is concerned, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I am giving today to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Bendall).