§ Sir Ivan LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what considerations have been given to establishing new pay determination procedures for prison governors and prison officers under section 128 of the Criminal Justice and Public order Act 1994; and if he will make a statement. [32992]
§ Mr. Michael ForsythWith the agreement of the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I propose to establish pay procedures which are based on direct negotiation between management and the recognised staff representative organisations. This form of pay bargaining would support the need for management and unions jointly to develop the implement pay arrangements which reflect the unique range of duties undertaken in the respective prison services and the changing demands on staff and available resources. I also284W propose to make available two supplementary procedures in the event that all efforts to reach a negotiated settlement were unsuccessful. First, the services of an independent conciliator would be made available. Secondly, if conciliation did not lead to renewed negotiations, provision would be made for either party to request that the issue in dispute was considered by a mediation panel which would make formal recommendations to the parties. These mediation arrangements would require the creation of one or more standing bodies, independent of the three prison services and the unions.
Representative organisations and staff are being consulted on these proposals. Subject to the outcome, consideration will be given to laying before Parliament appropriate regulations under section 128 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.