§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) if she has yet received any suggestions from the Civil Service unions about new procedures for settling Civil Service pay;
(2) if any functions are now being performed by the Civil Service Pay Research Unit; and, if not, whether she will now abolish it,
(3) what form her review of arrangements for settling Civil Service pay will take: and when she expects it to be completed.
§ Mr. HayhoeMy right hon. and noble Friend the Lord President of the Council told the Civil Service unions on 23 February that the Government intended to review the arrangements for determining the pay of non-industrial civil servants, with the object of establishing as soon as practicable an ordered and agreed system which will command the widest possible acceptance.
The review is still in the early stages, and at present we are considering a wide range of factors, including a number of proposals for changes in the present arrangements which we have received from the Civil Service unions. It would be premature to predict at this stage how long the review will take. The Pay Research Unit will remain in being pending the outcome of the review.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether she will give, at the latest and most convenient date, the total number of civil servants who receive salaries in excess of that paid to hon. Members.
§ Mr. HayhoeSome 23,000 non-industrial civil servants at present receive basic salaries in excess of £11,750, which is the current basic salary of hon. Members.