§ Mr. Portilloasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he has any plans to increase the flexibility of the conditions of service of senior civil servants not covered by the Top Salaries Review Board, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceAll civil servants at grade 3 and above are covered by the recommendations of the Top Salaries Review Body, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 22 May the Government's intention of introducing discretionary pay at these levels. The grades immediately below are covered by the current performance bonus experiment, and in evaluating the outcome of this experiment, the Government will continue to look at ways of strengthening the link between performance and remuneration.