HL Deb 15 May 1986 vol 474 cc1381-2WA
Lord Brougham and Vaux

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make a statement on the latest position in the dispute with the Prison Officers Association.

Lord Glenarthur

Following the Statement to the House on 1st May, a series of exploratory talks has been held between Home Office officials and representatives of the Prison Officers Association with the object of securing a simultaneous calling-off of the POA's industrial action and the start of substantive discussions on the agenda for the future set out in my right honourable friend's letter of 22nd April to the POA General Secretary. The talks have now been concluded by a letter from the Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office to the Association's General Secretary which records the clarification offered during the talks in response to a number of questions about my right honourable friend's letter raised by the POA.

The letter includes clarification of the process through which POA branches will be consulted about changes to existing agreements, in amplification of the formula set out in the letter of 22nd April, viz.: Management accepts the Trade Union Side's unfettered right to meet with management to present its concerns in relation to manning levels by means of discussion and consultation leading where possible to agreement. Where agreement is not reached by this process, management will determine manning levels".

The clarification provides that where governors wish to alter existing agreements they will give 14 days' notice of their intention to do so in order to allow for discussion of the proposed change. The aim of both sides will be to settle local disputes locally, but in the event of disagreement there is provision for possible reference to a higher level. This reflects current best practice as well as previous agreements with the POA.

The letter from the Permanent Under-Secretary of State maintains the department's stance (which has been accepted by the POA in the course of the dispute) that, where agreement is not possible, management will determine manning levels.

Other issues touched on in the letter include the future handling of this year's pay claim from the association, of tax compensation on housing allowance and of proposals for change in working practices. We welcome the decision of the NEC of the POA, following receipt of the letter, to ballot the association's members, recommending the calling-off of the industrial action.