§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the dispute involving careers officers employed by Scottish regional authorities.
Mr. MilianThere are at present disputes involving a strike of careers officers within Tayside region and some restriction of work in Strathclyde region. These are matters of serious concern to me, affecting as they do the availability of careers advice and guidance to young people in these regions.
A proposed regrading scheme for careers officers in Strathclyde region, which is relevant to the situation as a whole, is being considered by the Government in relation to pay policy. A decision will be given as soon as possible. Meanwhile ACAS remains ready to use its good offices whenever the time is opportune.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make the necessary adjustments in the cash limits given to Scottish local authorities in the event of an agreement being made with the approval of Her Majesty's Government to resolve the dispute with Scottish careers officers at a figure of more than 5 per cent.
§ Mr. MillanThe circumstances in which I would be prepared to review these cash limits are set out in the report on the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1978 laid before the House on 1st Decernber—HC 40, paragraph 21—to which I have nothing to add.