§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons union facility time has been reduced to 10 days in the War Pensions Agency. [77186]
§ Mr. BayleyThe administration of the War Pensions Agency is a matter for its Chief Executive, Mr. Gordon Hextall. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Gordon Hextall to Mr. Hilton Dawson, dated 16 March 1999:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the reasons why War Pensions Agency has reduced union facility time to 10 days.I can confirm that War Pensions Agency has not reduced facility time to 10 days and has no intentions of doing so. Facility time arrangements are reviewed annually and negotiations are currently taking place with unions. These are not due to be completed until the end of March.Any alterations to the current arrangements will be done in consultation with full-time union officials and will fully abide by Departmental guidelines.I hope you find my reply helpful.