HC Deb 23 October 1967 vol 751 cc371-2W
73. Mr. Ron Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on the changes recently made in the pay and conditions of employment of the staff of the catering department of the House of Commons; how many of the staff have left as a result of those changes; and whether he is satisfied with present management and staff relations.

Mr. Maxwell

I have been asked to reply.

Negotiations regarding the pay and conditions of employment of the staff of the catering department have been successfully concluded during the recess. There has been an average pay increase of 10 per cent.

New conditions of employment have been laid down. These remain essentially as before, except that individual tipping has been abolished and any member of the staff accepting and retaining a tip automatically terminates by that act his contract of employment with the Department. A surcharge of 7½ per cent. has been introduced, part of which will meet the cost of increased wages, and part will be shared between the staff: details of how their share is to be divided amongst the staff are still being negotiated. One member of the staff has left as a result of these changes.

During the recess the management of the department has been considerably strengthened by the appointment of a staff manager, a financial controller, and a banqueting manager to assist the general manager. We are fully satisfied that the present management is well able to cope with the problem of the department, and that the relations with the staff are good.

Mr. Ben Whitaker

asked the Lord President of the Council what progress has been made in increasing the pay and numbers of the staff of the House of Commons, including the number of clerks; and what are the new minimum rates of pay for attendants and refreshment staff.

Mr. Crossman

Two new Clerks have been recruited during the recess, and as I announced on 24th July last, the career structure of the Clerk's Department has been improved. There has been no increase in the staff of the Department of the Serjeant at Arms, which remains below establishment. Negotiations on improved pay for Doorkeepers are still continuing between the Treasury and their Union. The minimum rates of pay for Attendants are now £14 2s. 6d. per week, to be increased to £14 6s. 0d. per week on 1st January, 1968. The minimum rates of pay of Refreshment Department staff have been increased by about 10 per cent.