HC Deb 09 July 1979 vol 970 c74W
Mr. Russell Johnston

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the circumstances which have led to the suspension of the printing and publication of the Official Report, indicating when he expects a settlement of the dispute.

Mr. Channon

TheOfficial Report is customarily printed at the St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press. The suspension of the printing and publication of the Official Report is the result of action being taken by overseers al St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press who are members of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants. The IPCS is in dispute with the Civil Service Department over a pay claim for professional and technical officers affecting those grades. There is a well-tried arbitration machinery for disputes of this kind and I urge the IPCS to go to the Civil Service arbitration tribunal. The Government will accept the award of the tribunal.

I regret that. I am unable to give any indication at present regarding the timing of a possible settlement of the dispute.