HC Deb 04 March 2002 vol 381 cc52-4W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies receive paid leave to undertake union duties; how many days they are allocated; and what has been the cost to public funds in each of the last four years. [36212]

Ms Rosie Winterton

This answer covers the Headquarters of the Lord Chancellor's Department (including Associated Offices), the Court Service, Public Guardianship Office, Land Registry, Public Record Office, Northern Ireland Court Service, Legal Services Commission and the Children and Family Courts Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS).

The position is as follows:

LCD HQ

  • 2000–01: 11 staff spent 216 days on union duties at a cost of £16,920.
  • 1999–2000: 12 staff spent 216 days on union duties at a cost of £16,080.
  • 1998–99: Nine staff spent 163 days on union duties at a cost of £11,552.
  • 1997–98: 10 staff spent 179 days on union duties at a cost of £12,077.

Court Service

The information relates to trade union representatives working for the Court Service who are allocated 50 per cent. or more of their time to undertake industrial relations duties. Information on trade union representatives who spend less than 50 per cent. of their time on union activities is not held centrally.

  • 2000–01: 28 staff spent 4,887 days on union duties at a cost of £484,126.
  • 1999–2000: 27 staff spent 4,517 days on union duties at a cost of £447,472.
  • 1998–99: 28 staff spent 4,331 days on union duties at a cost of £429,046.
  • 1997–98: 28 staff spent 4,419 days on union duties at a cost of £411,017.

Public Guardianship Office

The PG0 was established as an executive agency of LCD on 1 April 2001. In April 2001, two staff were allowed to work full-time on union duties and a third for 50 per cent. of their time at a total cost of £47,339. Figures for the Public Trust Office, which was abolished in 2001, are not available.

Land Registry

The details show the total hours spent by staff given special leave to undertake union duties. Because the Land Registry is a Trading Fund the allocations do not draw on public funds; the costs are met from fees paid by customers.

  • 2001–01: 155 staff spent a total of 1,267 days on union duties.
  • 1990–2000: 154 staff spent a total of 1,322 days on union duties.
  • 1998–99: 152 staff spent a total of 1,545 days on union duties.
  • 1997–98: 158 staff spent a total of 1,646 days on union duties.

Public Record Office

The Public Record Office allows a part-time Trade Union Side officer 18 hours per week for union business. The cost of this was £8,180 in 2001, £7,803 in 2000, £7,509 in 1999 and £7,176 in 1998.

Northern Ireland Court Service

The cost of 13 staff who received paid leave to undertake union duties each year is as follows:

  • 2001: £24,200
  • 2000: £23,300
  • 1999: £22,400
  • 1998: £21,600.

These costs have been based on the average salary costs for each employee who has received paid leave to undertake union duties.

Legal Services Commission

Paid time off for trade union duties is granted with management agreement but is not monitored centrally.

Children and Family Courts Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)

CAFCASS is currently negotiating a Partnership Agreement with the trade unions which will cover trade union facilities and time off. It is hoped that the new policies will be approved in March 2002.