§ Mrs. Clwydasked the Secretary of State for Wales why the new regulations affecting the Land Authority for Wales concerning redundancy have no provisions to deal with downgrading.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsIt is already within the power of the authority to offer "mark time" arrangements to staff taking a lower grade post. The phrase "mark time" means that downgraded staff retain their existing salary until that of the new post they hold catches up with it. Assurances to this effect have been given by the authority, and in the light of this the trade union branch as far back as November 1982 has accepted that such persons would not receive any compensation for diminution of emoluments as well as a "mark time" facility.
§ Mrs. Clwydasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now begin consultations with the employees of the Land Authority of Wales about his Department's proposed new redundancy rules.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe Land Authority is the employer of the staff concerned and consultations have taken place between the authority and its staff.
§ Mrs. Clwydasked the Secretary of State for Wales why there was no consultation with the employees of the Land Authority for Wales on the new redundancy regulations.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsA draft scheme embodying the terms approved by myself was sent to the Land Authority on 2 March this year following which the authority's working party invited comment from the staff union. The Land Authority, in accepting the draft regulations, took into account the views expressed by the union.