§ 65. Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with representatives of the Prison Officers Association.
§ Mr. MellorI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 18 June at columns 541–42. The NEC of the Prison Officers Association announced on 15 July that the members of the association had balloted by a majority of over 5: 1 to call off their national industrial action. The way is therefore clear for the start of substantive discussions on the agenda for the future of the service set out in my right hon. Friend's letter of 22 April to the POA general secretary, on which he hopes to announce his proposals shortly.