HC Deb 02 December 1957 vol 579 cc27-9
38. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of Health if he has now considered the representations made to him on 11th November by the trade union representatives of the Whitley Council for the administrative and clerical grades in the Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have agreed to meet a deputation from the Staff Side of the General Whitley Council for the Health Services on Wednesday. I have nothing further to add to what I have said in the House on 6th November and on a number of occasions since.

Mr. Moyle

As the Minister has had considerable time for reflection and is now in a position to measure the ill-fated consequence of his unfortunate decision, and in view of the meeting due next Wednesday, may I ask whether he thinks it worth while selling the Whitley Council down the river for a mere saving of 7d. in the £ in respect of a body of people who are relatively the lowest-paid people in the public service? In view of the Minister's veto in this case, does it make sense for his representatives to agree to a decision increasing scales of pay by 5 per cent. to which, it is reported in The Times today, the Minister has given approval?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I cannot accept all the implications in the supplementary questions from the hon. Gentleman. He has referred to points which have been debated at length in this House within the last few weeks. In particular, I cannot accept his suggestion that the action taken by my right hon. Friend and myself was in derogation of the proper functions of the Whitley Council. I have already explained more than once in this House that there are two clear stages in this matter and my right hon. Friend and myself acted in furtherance of our express statutory duty at the appropriate stage.

Mr. J. Griffiths

As the right hon. Gentleman is to meet the representatives of the men on Wednesday, together with the Secretary of State for Scotland, does he consider himself free to reconsider his previous decision after he has met them?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The gentlemen who are coming to see my right hon. Friend and myself on Wednesday are from the Staff Side of the General Whitley Council for the National Health Services. They will put forward whatever points they have in mind, and my right hon. Friend and myself will, of course, give them careful consideration.

Mr. Griffiths

May I repeat my question? Will the Minister begin his discussion with the representatives of the Staff Side by indicating to them that he is free to consider the whole position, including a review or reversal of his previous decision, if they convince him that that is necessary?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I do not anticipate that it will be I who will open this discussion. [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer the question."] We have been asked to receive this deputation, and I repeat that we shall consider carefully what they say; and what we say to them will be attuned to what they say to us.

Mr. Griffiths

Will the Minister bear in mind that it would be the wish of the majority of hon. Members of this House and the electors that he and the Government should be free to consider the matter? Otherwise, what is the purpose of meeting these people on Wednesday?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The reason for meeting them is, as the right hon. Gentleman well knows, that they put forward a request to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister that he should meet them. He indicated to them that it would be appropriate, at any rate in the first instance, for them to see my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and myself as being the Ministers immediately concerned. They took up that suggestion and asked for the interview, and it has been arranged for Wednesday.

Dr. Summerskill

Does this mean that on Wednesday the right hon. Gentleman will go to the meeting with an open mind?

Mr. Walker-Smith

It depends upon what the right hon. Lady means by "an open mind". I shall certainly go there with a receptive mind.