HC Deb 27 March 1980 vol 981 cc684-6W
Mr. Robert Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on any action which he proposes to take following the breakdown of negotiations in the Local Authority National Joint Council on a comparability award to APT and C staff, and the commencement of industrial action by the National and Local Government Officers Association;

(2) what steps he is taking to assist in reconvening the National Joint Council for local authority staff in an effort to re-open discussions on the APT and C staff comparability award;

(3) if he is satisfied that the offer to local authority APT and C staff based on the new earnings survey is within the terms of reference of the examination of the comparability award;

(4) if, in view of the fact that the employers' side of the Local Authority National Joint Council (Scottish Council) has expressed a desire to have an early recall of the employers' side of the National Joint Council with a view to achieving a settlement for APT and C staff that would give credibility to the comparability study, he will take steps to reconvene it; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. King

I have no plans to take any action. The interpretation of the joint comparability study is a matter for the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Staff, under whose auspices the study was carried out. Any resumption of negotiations is a matter for the local government employers and the unions concerned, but I understand that a meeting of the National Joint Council has been arranged for Friday 28 March.

Mr. Robert Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimated percentage pay award for local authority APT and C staff was used in the calculation for rate support grant in the forthcoming financial year.

Mr. King

The cash limit on RSG for 1980–81 is an envelope figure compatible with year on year new pay and price changes affecting local authorities of 13 per cent., plus an additional allowance for the effects of outstanding comparability awards. It cannot be directly related to individual pay settlements, which are matters for the parties concerned.

Mr. Norman Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what his assessment is of the impact on local government in England and Wales of the decision by the National and Local Government Officers Association to ban all non-contractual overtime; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. King

I am unable to make an assessment of the impact of a ban on non-contractual overtime, which will vary both in its incidence and effects in individual authorities.