§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the present rules in the Civil Service for time off on full pay for trade union work and to what extent these rules apply during an industrial dispute.
§ Baroness YoungThe present arrangements under which non-industrial civil servants who are representatives of recognised trade unions are allowed paid time off to carry out industrial relations duties and trade union activities are set out in the Civil Service National Whitley Council Revised Facilities Agreement. The agreement came into effect on 30th April this year and replaced an earlier agreement which had operated since 1974. The agreement makes it clear that facilities are not provided for activities 1271WA consisting of the detailed planning, or the specific implementation, of a decision to take industrial action.
Comparable facilities are provided for representatives of industrial unions in the Civil Service.