§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if approval has been sought for the 389W payment of grant for the purposes of authorising the pay award to magisterial officers for 1988 following Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service arbitration in January; when such approval is likely to be given; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when he anticipates the pay award to all magisterial officers for 1988 will be implemented; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Patten[holding answer 2 March 1989]: The management side of the joint negotiating committee for magistrates courts staff has sought confirmation that grant will be paid on the recent arbitration award.
We hope to provide a response very shortly, taking into account recruitment and retention problems.