§ 38. Sir R. Grimstonasked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the Guillebaud Committee's recommendations on Whitley Council machinery.
§ Mr. TurtonI apologise for the length of this reply.
Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I accept these recommendations. The management and staff sides of the Whitley Councils are being invited to explore the methods used in other large-scale undertakings to introduce flexibility into national agreements. The management sides are being asked to propose alterations in the constitutions of the councils that will add three hospital representatives to each.
To facilitate this my right hon. Friend and I are willing for the representation of our Departments to be reduced by the same number on all the councils except the Optical and Pharmaceutical, where there are special Departmental interests. We are seeking the views of the management sides on the question of consultation with hospital authorities; but we are making it clear that in our opinion any arrangements that might cause further delay in the reaching of settlements should not be contemplated.
We are drawing the attention of both management and staff sides to what the Committee has said about delays. Negotiations on pay and conditions of service necessarily take time, but we are confident that all concerned will do their utmost to ensure that there are no avoidable delays.
§ Dr. SummerskillI congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his generosity and accept the recommendation, but may I ask whether the Government are prepared to give a day to debate the other very important matters which arise on the Guillebaud Report?
§ Mr. TurtonThe right hon. Lady should address her question to the Lord Privy Seal.