§ 29. Mr. Beithasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will make a statement about the restoration of comparability and the reintroduction of Civil Service pay research in the light of the current dispute involving Civil Service unions.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisI refer the hon. Member to my answer today to the hon. Member for Bromsgrove and Redd itch (Mr. Miller).
§ 31. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will make a statement on his discussions held on Tuesday 20 March with the Civil Service unions concerning increases in the pay of the Civil Service.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisMy right hon. and noble Friend, the Lord Privy Seal, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection and I met the national staff side at its request on 20 March to discuss the Civil Service pay settlement due on 1 April. The Lord Privy Seal invited it to meet12W him again today to begin substantive negotiations.
§ 30. Mr. Paul Deanasked the Minister for the Civil Service what are the functions of the Pay Research Unit board in connection with comparability studies and in the subsequent negotiations on Civil Service pay.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe Pay Research Unit Board was set up to safeguard the independence and impartiality of the unit in all its work. It oversees the work of the unit and will, in due course, submit an annual report to the Prime Minister, which is to be published. The board takes no part in subsequent negotiations on Civil Service pay. For a full statement of the Pay Research Unit Board's terms of reference I refer the hon. Member to the 1977 Civil Service pay agreement, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.