HC Deb 09 December 1957 vol 579 cc892-3
30. Mrs. Jeger

asked the Minister of Health when he now expects to receive the Report of the Royal Commission on Doctors' Pay; and what guidance has been given to the Commission on the Government's general policy on salaries and wages.

Mr. Walker-Smith

It is too soon to specify any precise period for the Commission's inquiry, and so I have at present nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 11th November, except in the negative sense that the report will not be ready until some considerable time after Easter. In regard to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the House on 19th November.

Mrs. Jeger

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that some considerable time after Easter is a very vague date? Does he mean to suggest that it might be at least before the House rises for the next Summer Recess, or has he in mind an even more remote objective?

Mr. Walker-Smith

It is not a question of my having an objective in mind. It is a question of the pace at which Sir Harry Pilkington and the members of the Commission are able to proceed, having regard to the evidence tendered to them, and so on. He has informed me that it will not be for some considerable time after Easter.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman at least give an assurance that the Royal Commission will not he expected to deal with wider economic matters, which are surely outside the terms of reference, and not in that way support the answer of his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The Royal Commission will, of course, have regard to its terms of reference, on which I do not propose to put any gloss. The position of the Commission in regard to the general economic situation was put quite clearly by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, and I do not think I can usefully add to what he said.

Mr. Mellish

If the Commission does make recommendations on salaries and wages, etc., may we have an assurance that there will not be a veto?

Mr. Walker-Smith

That is a hypothetical question deriving from a set of circumstances not strictly comparable or analagous.