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Unions (Meetings)

Volume 75: debated on Monday 11 March 1985

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36.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he last met the Civil Service unions; and what matters were discussed.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 February about my last meeting with the Civil Service unions on 4 December 1984. My right hon. and noble Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster met representatives of the Society of Civil and Public Servants on 25 February to hear their views on the extension of unified grading in the Civil Service.

I thank the Minister for that reply. The next time he meets the Civil Service unions, will he discuss with them the reluctance of some civil servants regarding transfers to areas such as Merseyside, which has high unemployment? I refer him specifically to members of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, who oppose transfer to Bootle.

I note what the hon. Gentleman says, and I shall refer his remarks to the Minister responsible for those civil servants.

Will my hon. Friend invite the Civil Service unions to discuss the working environment of civil servants near Heathrow airport and how their efficiency and conditions might be affected by the construction of a fifth terminal?

As the Member for a constituency which neighbours that of my hon. Friend, I can only admire his ingenuity in raising this point. I acknowledge that there is considerable local concern among civil servants and others about possible changes in their working and living environments should a fifth terminal be constructed.