asked the Minister for the Public Service if it is still Government policy to impose a pay freeze for the public service in 1986 as outlined in the statement of 1 August 1985.

The Government statement did not impose, as the Deputy's question suggests, a pay freeze.

It did. I gather the Minister had an afternoon of talking about the difference between a freeze and a cancellation. I should like to ask the Minister if he is prepared to pay an increase in line with inflation to public servants for 1986?

That is a totally different and very expensive question.

Is the Minister stating that he stands over the statements he made on 14 August last, that the public service will receive a zero increase in 1986?

I can only ask the Deputy, and any other Member who has a particular interest in this matter, to read carefully the Government guidelines issued on 14 August. I should like again, without wishing to appear contentious, to suggest that they should be read a little more carefully than the framer of the question appears to have read them.

My reading of the statement of 14 August last is the same as that of almost everybody else, but I understand from meetings with the Minister that he takes a different view. Is the Minister saying that public servants will receive an increase in 1986 under the 25th round?

It has been the practice of Government at an early stage during each pay round to issue guidelines on pay generally in the economy, both private and public sector pay. Those guidelines have normally, because of the constraints on the public finances, been of a rather restrictive nature. The guidelines issued in respect of this pay round do not differ substantially from guidelines issued in respect of the last two or three rounds.

Question Time is now concluded and questions which were down for oral reply and have not been reached will go for written answer unless a request to have them included in the ballot is received in the General Office before 4 o'clock.