§ Mr. LYLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the abolition of the Civil Service Arbitration Board, the existing Whitley machinery of the Civil Service will be so strengthened as to take over all the functions exercised hitherto by this Board; and whether, in case of a direct difference of opinion between the official side and the staff side of the Civil Service when the numbers are equally balanced, there will be any right of appeal to anybody or any Minister?
Mr. YOUNGThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the official side of the National Whitley Council is responsible to the Government, and would naturally refer to Ministers for a definite ruling in the event of serious disagreement on the Council.