asked the Minister of Labour what trade union representations he has received concerning wage negotiating procedure in relation to employees at Buckingham Palace; and what steps he intends to take in regard to the present procedure.

I have received representations from the Civil Service union and I am having discussions with the union and with officers of the Royal Household.

Will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that he will seek to modernise the antiquated procedure which now obtains, and if I put a Question down in a fortnight or three weeks, will he be able to give a progress report?

As an old negotiator, I am asked to give undertakings immediately, here and now, and then to give a progress report in a fortnight. No, I could not do that. All I can say is that the negotiations are going very well indeed, and I think that my hon. Friend will be quite happy with the outcome.