§ 36. Lient.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Health what action he is taking on the £20 million pay increase claimed by the medical profession.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithIt has already been made known that Her Majesty's Government would not feel justified in considering any claim for a general increase in medical remuneration in present circumstances. As to the profession's assertion that there is a contractual obligation involved, my right hon. Friend is taking legal advice on this.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonAs it is some time since the Minister decided to take legal advice on the matter, can we now be told what is the effect of this legal advice and whether the Government are under a contractual obligation to concede this pay increase?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI am afraid that I cannot give a reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman at this moment.
§ 37. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Health what additional payments will be made to doctors to meet increased practice expenses.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton) on 29th October.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the hon. Lady aware that the Minister has publicly announced that doctors will get a pleasant surprise when they receive their December cheques? May we know what is this pleasant surprise? Why the secrecy?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe earlier answer to which I referred showed that for the year ended 31st March, 1955, the latest year for which doctors' practice expenses have been reassessed, they were estimated for Great Britain to have been £23,549,227 or £1,114 per doctor, which is an increase of £114 over the preceding year. For 1954–55 the balancing payment which has to be made when the final returns are in is about £4¼ million, which works out at about £200 per doctor, and this will be paid out with the December quarterly cheques.