§ 46. Mr. Rankinasked the Prime Minister if he will recommend that the Royal Commission on the Remuneration of Doctors and Dentists be instructed to report by 31st December, 1957.
§ 47. Mr. Beswickasked the Prime Minister if he is now able to give the name of the chairman of the proposed Royal Commission on doctors' remuneration.
51. Mrs. Hillasked the Prime Minister when he will be able to announce the terms of reference and membership of the Royal Commission on the remuneration of doctors and dentists.
§ The Prime MinisterThe terms of reference of the Royal Commission will be as follows:
To consider:—I will announce as soon as possible the names of the Chairman and members.and to make recommendations.
- (a) How the levels of professional remuneration from all sources now received by doctors and dentists taking any part in the National Health Service compare with the remuneration received by members of other professions, by other members of the medical and dental professions, and by people engaged in connected occupations;
1394 - (b) What, in the light of the foregoing, should be the proper current levels of remuneration of such doctors and dentists by the National Health Service;
- (c) Whether, and if so what, arrangements should be made to keep that remuneration under review;
I cannot fix a date by which the Commission must report but I will certainly urge the Chairman to proceed without delay.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Prime Minister aware that a B.M.A. spokesman quoted in the Press said that his reference to an interim adjustment is extremely obscure, and that it might mean any of a number of things, some of which would be entirely unacceptable? Will the right hon. Gentleman not make his attitude on the interim adjustment clear beyond a peradventure, or does he wish to give the tough boys in the B.M.A. the ammunition necessary to destroy the Health Service?
§ The Prime MinisterThe sentence which I put into that letter means exactly what it says, and I do not wish to make any interpretation of it this afternoon. At the same time, we are always in touch with the leading members of the profession, and either my right hon. Friend or I will be very willing to make any further explanation at an appropriate moment.
Mrs. HillIs it not a fact that the Government are prepared to negotiate an immediate increase for junior hospital staff?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. BeswickIs the Prime Minister aware that if, as the result of any uncertainty as to the meaning of the phrase "interim adjustment," any damage is done to the Health Service the people of this country will not forgive him? Can he say why he cannot make it quite clear, both to allay apprehension on the part of doctors and also in fairness to those who may be invited to serve on this Commission, that the Commission is not now intended, as was originally the case, simply to dodge the issue, and does not preclude any interim negotiations upon salary scales?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member is very fond of making statements for which he has very little ground. He prefers to rely rather upon innuendo than fact. The Commission was never intended for the purpose of dodging this issue. Hon. and right hon. Members on both sides of the House know the very difficult circumstances that surround some of these problems. I am convinced that the Commission will be able to act rapidly and effectively, and I am very hopeful that we shall reach a good point of view between all concerned in this matter.
§ Dr. SummerskillWill not the Prime Minister say whether the terms of reference which he has mentioned will enable the Commission to take into account the conversations conducted at the inception of the Service between the Government and the doctors? Further, will he again consider interpreting this phrase, because the attitude of the profession during the next few months may be guided by what he says now?
§ The Prime MinisterOn the first point raised by the right hon. Lady, as she will no doubt realise, I have not the record of these conversations with me at the moment. Therefore, if she pressed me upon the matter, I should have to ask for notice. I think it would be a matter for the Commission itself to decide. With regard to the right hon. Lady's second point, I should prefer to leave the matter as it is at the moment. I feel quite certain that we shall be able to make good progress in this affair.