asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether, in view of the dissatisfaction expressed by civil servants with the draft scheme of conciliation and arbitration machinery he put forward last year, he now recognises that no scheme of this kind, which does not provide for negotiating bodies and an arbitration tribunal, on the lines in operation in the British Civil Service, is likely to be acceptable to civil servants here, and whether he is prepared to arrange, at an early date, for a conference between Government representatives and representatives of the Civil Service staff associations, with a view to the negotiation of an agreement between them on the basis of the British scheme referred to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Arbitration Scheme.
I would refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to a similar question he addressed to me on the 23rd July last. The position in regard to the letter issued by my Department generally to the staff associations on the 8th June, 1935, inviting their written observations on the draft scheme of arbitration remains substantially the same now as when the Deputy previously raised the matter. When the staff associations furnish their written observations on the draft scheme, I will consider what further action it may be desirable to take by way of consultation with staff representatives.
Is the Minister not aware of the fact that certain organisations, at all events, have submitted certain views to his Department on the subject of the provisions that should be embodied in the proposed scheme of arbitration, and has requested an interview with the Minister to discuss that aspect of the scheme? Is the Minister aware that that letter is now in his Department for over a month and can he say when a reply will be sent to the organisations?
I am aware that two organisations have made representations to the effect referred to by the Deputy in his supplementary question. I know that the majority of the associations have not, so far, replied to the draft proposals, and I must assume the draft proposal to be acceptable to them.
May I ask the Minister is it not a fact that only one organisation has intimated to him its acceptance of the draft scheme, and that that organisation does not represent 1 per cent. of the Civil Service? And may I remind him that he has been requested to receive a deputation from the two largest organisations in the Civil Service? If the Minister is still a democrat should he not take that as evidence that the overwhelming majority of the service rejects his scheme?
I am aware that the majority of the staff associations have not so far replied to the letter asking for their observations on the draft scheme submitted to them. I must assume, on the principle that silence gives consent, that they are prepared to accept the scheme in its draft form. Quite obviously, this is a scheme which must apply to the service as a whole and, accordingly, I cannot consider sectional representations until I have the view of the service as a whole.
If the Minister will read the publications of the organisations which have not replied, I think it will be abundantly clear to him, if he desires to be convinced, that nobody will listen to any proposals for arbitration of the character submitted by the Minister.
It may seem strange, but even the Minister for Finance is entitled to the courtesy of a reply in these matters.