§ Mr. Masonasked the Attorney-General if he will list the trade union consultative meetings that have taken place with the Council of Civil Service Unions and others on the 296W proposals to establish an independent Crown prosecution service; if he is satisfied that all consultative procedures have been followed; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralIn 1985 my officials have had formal meetings with a combined trade union side, consisting of representatives of the Council of Civil Service Unions and the National and Local Government Officers Association, on the following occasions:
- 26 February
- 19 March
- 28 March
- 23 April
- 14 May
- 13 June
- 9 July
- 6 August
- 3 September
- 1 October
In addition there have been meetings with individual trade unions at national and local level and with other representive bodies, but these are too numerous to list.
I am satisfied that officials have consulted to the maximum extent practicable within the confines of the timetable necessary to ensure establishment of the Crown prosecution service prior to the abolition of the metropolitan county councils.
In addition my right hon. and learned Friend and I have had discussions on a number of occasions, both formal and informal, with representatives of the staff of existing prosecuting solicitors departments, most recently on 11 September and 8 October, when I received delegations from the Prosecuting Solicitors Society of England and Wales and the Crown prosecution service trade union group respectively.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Attorney-General to what extent he has given assurances to the trade unions and prosecuting solicitors that their future prospects and salaries will be secured under the independent Crown prosecution service; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralMy right hon. and learned Friend has assured the staff of existing prosecuting solicitors departments and their representative bodies that the staff who will serve in the Crown prosecution service will be remunerated on a basis that should ensure that they provide the high standards that will be required.
It is the Government's intention, as has consistently been reflected in what my right hon. and learned Friend has said in his discussions with representatives of the staff of existing prosecuting solicitors departments, that career prospects in the new service should also be such as to attract and retain staff of the necessary calibre.
On 30 March 1984 my right hon. and learned Friend told a meeting of the Prosecuting Solicitors' Society that its members' career prospects would be enhanced by reason of the larger total requirement of the new service for qualified prosecutors.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Attorney-General whether he will delay the implementation of the independent Crown prosecution service, especially the transfer regulations timetable affecting the metropolitan counties, until satisfactory assurances regarding the future of their grades, salaries and resident offices have been agreed with prosecuting solicitors and other officers in the six provincial areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralIt is intended to establish the service in the present six metropolitan counties and the 297W county of Durham on 1 April 1986. It would not be in the public interest or the interests of the staff affected to subject prosecution arrangements in the metropolitan areas to two separate disturbances. Discussions on each of the matters referred to in the right hon. Member's question and on related matters are currently taking place between officials of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the relevant representative bodies, with a view to arrangements which will suffice to attract and retain staff of the requisite quality.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Attorney-General what assurances have been given to the South Yorkshire county prosecuting solicitors' department working at Barnsley magistrates' court that no further upheaval in transfers of men and offices will take place when the independent Crown prosecution service is established.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralNo assurances have been give. To be efficient, effective and economical the Crown prosecution service will need to be structured on a system of area and branch offices. Moreover, it is desirable that, as soon as practicable, it should be housed in accommodation separate from the police. All changes will be affected with proper consideration for the interests of the staff concerned and, where appropriate, after consultation.