§ 21. Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had to resolve anomalies in the pay structure of local authority staffs: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gregor MacKenzie:My noble Friend the Minister of State met both sides of the National Joint Councils for Local Authorities Services—Scottish Councils—at the end of July. If any solution to the problem can be found it must be within the normal framework of pay negotiations and within the Government's pay guidelines.