HC Deb 31 January 2002 vol 379 c460W
26. Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the industrial action in her Department. [29562]

Mr. Morley

The current industrial action by staff in the Department who are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) began on 20 August 2001. Since that date 16,201 working days have been lost due to strike action.

A revised pay offer was made on 10 January 2002 and the PCS suspended all industrial action on 11 January. Negotiations are continuing with a view to an early settlement.