HC Deb 12 March 1956 vol 550 cc15-6
29. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue regulations to establish separate Whitley negotiating machinery for mental hospital and institution staffs.

Mr. Turton

This is not a matter for regulation by me but for agreement on the Whitley Councils concerned if they wished to do it.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the trade unions chiefly concerned adopt the very statesmanlike attitude of appealing to their members not to refuse to carry out additional work in these hospitals when necessary and are urging upon the Minister that there should be consideration of separate Whitley Council machinery to consider their problems? In view of the urgent need of additional mental nurses, should not the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter in spite of the difficulties there may be?

Mr. Turton

I think that the proposal for that change should come from the General Whitley Council.