§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for Civil Service whether he will make a further statement on the industrial dispute by Civil Service unions; to what extent these disputes have caused holdups and delays in Government business to the services normally given to the general public, and the costs to date; and what action he has taken or intends taking to achieve a return to normal working.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe industrial action I referred to in my answer to my hon. Friend on 21 March—[Vol. 964, cc. 611–12] continues. This industrial action has affected both payments and receipts by Government Departments, but these effects vary from day to day. It is too early to give any estimate of the overall cost. We look forward to a resumption of negotiations with the national staff side in relation to pay research based pay increases. Once the industrial action has ended, every effort will be made to return to normal working as quickly as possible.