HC Deb 22 November 1949 vol 470 cc184-6
29. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to exercise more supervision over the regional hospital boards in their increasing appointments of administrative and medical chiefs and if he will take steps to halt the advancing of salaries of administrative and medical chiefs particularly at a time when the Trade Union Congress is constantly exercising restraint on the wages increase appeals of the workers.

Mr. Woodburn

Regional hospital boards cannot increase the number of their senior administrative appointments, medical or lay, without my approval and in recent months there has been no substantial increase either in this category or in the number of their senior medical appointments in hospitals. As regards the second part of the Question, I can assure the hon. Member that the Government's policy as regards salaries and wages applies in the Health Service as in other fields.

Mr. Carmichael

Would my right hon. Friend give us some figures to show that there has been no substantial increase? On the second point, is he aware that very large increases have already been made in the salaries of people under the hospital boards? Surely, if we call a halt to the old-age pensioners and to the assistance boards, we should call a halt to this.

Mr. Woodburn

I think the hon. Member is mistaken. He is probably mistaking the fact that a great many scales have been settled by the Whitley Council—the Council for settling what these scales should be under the National Health Service. These may only now be becoming applicable in his district, but no increases have been granted.

Mr. Carmichael

If the Chancellor of the Exchequer calls a halt to the proposals for increases for higher civil servants, then if these increases have not yet been made operative, surely it is the time to call a halt here, too. These increases are very high indeed.

Mr. Woodburn

I want to make it clear to the hon. Member that these are not increases. These are the rates for the job, which have now been established and which are being paid for the first time.

30. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Were the respective numbers of specialists attached to the Royal, Victoria and Western infirmaries in Glasgow on 1st July, 1948; what are the corresponding numbers today; and what changes in management and administration have made necessary the engagement of additional specialists.

Mr. Woodburn

The Royal, Victoria and Western Infirmaries in Glasgow are now managed as key hospitals of three separate groups of hospitals. The numbers of specialists on the staffs of the hospitals in these groups in July, 1948, were 109, 55 and 141, respectively. The corresponding numbers today are 103, 58 and 142, showing an over-all net decrease of two. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

31. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of staff engaged on health administrative work in the area now designated the Scottish Western Regional Hospital area on 1st July, 1948; what is the total number of staff employed today under the supervision of the Western Regional Hospital Board; and why there has been an increase in personnel.

Mr. Woodburn

The number of administrative and clerical staff employed on the administration of the hospital and specialist services in the Western Region on 1st July, 1948, could not be obtained without undue labour. Many of the technical and financial staff, for example, in the employment of local authorities were partly engaged on this work and partly on other work altogether. The number employed at 31st August, 1949, in the offices of the Regional Board and the 37 boards of management is 475.

Mr. Rankin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Glasgow we now have 14 hospital management committees, each with its full-time administrative secretary and deputy, and that this body is performing the work which was formerly largely done by one health committee, with three sub-committees, one chief officer and a deputy?

Mr. Woodburn

I think my hon. Friend had better put down that question. Glasgow is a big and important city and I would not accept that picture of the change without verification.

Mr. Carmichael

The Secretary of State indicated in his answer that the administrative staffs numbered just over 400, but the Question I asked said, "under the supervision of the Western Regional Hospital Board." I therefore think I am entitled to include in that all the hospitals in the Western Regional area. Have I to take it that we have only a little over 400 engaged on the administrative work over that entire area?

Mr. Woodburn

Might I repeat the last sentence of the reply. It was: The number employed at 31st August, 1949, in the offices of the Regional Board and the 37 boards of management is 475.