§ 65 and 66. Mr. Redheadasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) why effective negotiations on a pay claim on behalf of foresters employed by the Forestry Commission, which was submitted by the Civil Service Union on 8th September, 1960, have not yet commenced; and whether he will make a statement as to the reasons for this delay;
96W(2) whether, in view of the fact that there has been no official reply to the pay claim lodged by the Civil Service Union on 8th September, 1960, in respect of foresters employed by the Forestry Commission, he will take immediate steps to secure reference of the matter to the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal.
§ Mr. SoamesThere have been informal discussions between the Forestry Commission and the Civil Service Union on the claim submitted in September, 1960, but the situation is complicated by the question whether foresters should in future pay rent for their houses which are currently provided rent free. The Commission hopes to be able to start formal negotiations shortly. When a final settlement is reached it will be back-dated to 1st May, 1958.
In these circumstances it would not be appropriate to refer the claim to the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal.