HC Deb 05 December 1946 vol 431 cc488-9
26. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to prevent the breakdown in hospital services threatened as a result of the action of the Willesden Council in directing that all nurses of that hospital who do not join a trade union will be dismissed.

41. Mr. Byers

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take now to make good the deficiencies of doctors, nurses and other staff who refuse to comply with the demand of local authorities that such persons should join a trade union on pain of dismissal and to prevent a breakdown of health services.

Mr. Bevan

I hope that there will be no such breakdown. I am sending a circular to local authorities pointing out that their primary duty as health authorities is to maintain the efficiency and smooth running of their health services and to ensure the welfare of the patients for whom they are responsible. All other considerations must be regarded as secondary. While I am anxious that doctors, nurses and members of similar professions should join a trade union or appropriate professional association, this is a matter which should not be determined by unilateral action of local authorities.

Mr. Byers

May I ask the Minister if we can take that as an assurance that the Government deprecate the action—which can only be described as irresponsible— of local authorities in these matters at a time when the nursing and medical professions are so short staffed?

Mr. Bevan

I think that the answer I have given is sufficiently clear and we do not now want to exacerbate feelings. I certainly hope that there will not be a repetition of the incident.

Mr. W. J. Brown

Is the Minister aware that his reply will be received with immense satisfaction by everybody who has both the welfare of the health services and the welfare of the trade unions at heart, and may I ask him to do his best to see that a similar lead is given whenever the necessity arises?

Major Legge-Bourke

In view of his last remarks, will the Minister now "debunk" for ever the arguments put forward at the last municipal elections?

Mr. Speaker

That is another question altogether.