HC Deb 27 March 1968 vol 761 cc285-6W
79. Mr. Barnes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will withhold the issue of the proposed redundancy notices to Government office cleaners until the effect on costs and productivity of the pilot scheme now being implemented at the Ministry of Overseas Development can be assessed.

Mr. Harold Lever

The transfers from direct to contract cleaning planned for 1968–69 (and the consequential redundancies) will go forward. These relate only to areas where a very wide discrepancy exists between direct and contract cleaning costs. I am awaiting the results of the pilot scheme referred to. I will do everything possible to ensure the widest application of its results so as over a period to improve the competitiveness and thus the future prospects of Civil Service cleaners.