§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent developments there have been in the negotiations over the introduction of alternative dispute resolution methods into public sector contracts let by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [122227]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Local Government Association, Employers' Organisation for Local Government, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) recently submitted a joint proposal for resolving disputes which might arise from the Code of Practice on Workforce Matters in Local Authority Service Contracts. The Code was published as part of statutory guidance to local authorities on 13 March. The proposal appears to meet the requirements set and the parties have been asked to develop it into a full scheme.