asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will give a report on the working of the flexi-time system in the public service; if he considers it a success; and if he has any proposals to extend the system.

The system of flexible working hours for which my Department have responsibility is concerned solely with the Civil Service.

Flexible working hours were introduced in the Civil Service in 1977 on a pilot basis. Initially less than 600 staff, mainly in the executive grades, in six Departments and offices were included in the pilot schemes. The pilot schemes were later extended to cater for clerical and other grades and under these arrangements there are at present approximately 4,500 staff on flexible working hours in ten Departments and offices. I consider that these schemes have, generally speaking, been successful.

Following a review of the pilot schemes, agreement was reached in March 1983, on guidelines for the future operation of flexible working hours in the Civil Service. These guidelines provide an agreed general framework within which individual flexible working hours schemes may be negotiated by the Departments and offices to suit local conditions. At present, negotiations for the introduction of schemes are well advanced in a number of Departments and offices.