asked the Minister for the Environment when he intends to implement the arbitrator's report of May 1982 in respect of rate collectors; and the reason for such a long delay in having this report implemented.
Written Answers . - Report on Rate Collectors .
593.
: The provisions governing arbitration proceedings on claims by local authority officers are set out in the conciliation and arbitration scheme for local authority and health services. Under the scheme, the report of the arbitration board is first considered by the management and staff sides who must signify to each other acceptance or rejection of the report. In the event of it being accepted by both sides, then, in accordance with the scheme, the appropriate Minister must give his decision on the report within a specified period. In the case of the arbitration board report of May 1982 affecting rate collectors, while the report was accepted some time ago by the staff side, I understand that it was accepted only last week by the management side. I received the report on Monday last and I will give my decision on it as quickly as possible.