HC Deb 17 June 1991 vol 193 cc4-5W
Sir David Steel

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider establishing an independent arbitration tribunal to decide on pay award disputes between the Government and the National Union of Civil and Public Servants and other unions representing civil and public employees.

Mr. Norman Lamont

The terms of the long term pay agreement between the Treasury and the NUCPS allow, subject to the agreement of both parties, for differences to be referred to the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal— CSAT. Other long-term pay agreements between the Treasury and other unions representing non-industrial civil servants contain similar provisions.

The CSAT, which is an independent tribunal established under the provisions of the civil service arbitration agreement, consists of an independent chairman and one member drawn from a panel of persons appointed by the Secretary of State for Employment as representing the Minister for the Civil Service and one member drawn from a panel of persons appointed by the Secretary of State for Employment as representing the trade union side of the national Whitley council.