§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to address the informal industrial action by the Prison Officers' Association. [38933]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 20 April 1998]: We have made clear on a number of occasions that there can be no place for disruptive industrial action in our prisons. In order to help create a positive industrial relations framework, my right hon. Friend and I have instructed the Prison Service to draw up plans for new pay determination and dispute resolution procedures.
In the handful of establishments where the local branch of the Prison Officers' Association has held an unofficial meeting during work time, pay has been stopped for the period of the meeting.