§ Mr. Alan Williamsasked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, on what date it was decided that the Commission and the Civil Service side should each set out a statement of the principle on the question of non-impedance; and on what dates each statement was made available to the other party.
§ Mr. Arthur BottomleyIt was agreed on 13 April that the Commission and trade unions representing House of Commons staff should explore the possibility of exchanging statements of principle on the issue of non-impedance. On 17 July the trade union side sent to the then secretary to the Commission a statement of its position. It was told that its paper would be considered, but that significant progress was unlikely before the autumn. It is probable that the Commission will be considering the matter at its meeting on Monday 14 December.