§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions he intends to make for employees in local authorities affected by local government reorganisation and for severance pay generally; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StewartI am laying before the House today regulations which will enable local authorities to make improved payments to employees made redundant or prematurely retired. These regulations come into force on 28 December 1994. Copies of the regulations have been placed in the Library.
I shall also today be issuing for consultation the Government's proposals for the compensation which will be made available to those local authority staff in Scotland who are either made redundant or suffer loss of remuneration specifically as a result of local government reorganisation. Details of these proposals will also be placed in the Library.
In drawing up these proposals I have considered carefully the advice offered to me by the Local Government Staff Commission (Scotland). I have also taken into account the comments which have been received from local authorities and staffing interests on the commission's advice.
One of the main messages from this consultation has been that it is crucially important to let local authority staff know as soon as possible what compensation terms will be available during the period of transition to the new councils. Accordingly, I am today issuing the 52W Government's proposals for consultation with a view to finalising them early in the new year. Comments on the proposals are invited by 23 January 1995.
In coming to a decision on these matters, I have had to look to the interests of local authorities, their employees and the taxpayer. I believe that what I am proposing offers a sensible balance in this respect.