HC Deb 28 January 1957 vol 563 cc654-6
15. Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the negotiations with the representatives of the medical profession concerning salary increases for doctors in the National Health Service.

25. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the discontent among members of the medical profession over his refusal to continue negotiations on the question of increased salaries; and if he will make a statement.

48. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Health what negotiations are pending to increase the salaries of doctors.

Mr. Vosper

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have agreed to meet representatives of the profession towards the middle of February. For the present, I have no statement to make.

Mr. Lewis

Will the Minister give an assurance that he will deal with this matter on its merits and not treat the doctors in the same shabby and dirty way as the Government treated the question of Members' salaries?

Mr. Vosper

I do not think it would help my negotiations and the meeting in February to make any further comment at this stage.

Mr. Lipton

As the honour of the Government is at stake, will the Minister at least agree to have an independent arbitration to settle a firm basis for any future adjustments of doctors' salaries? Surely that would be the best way of doing it?

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

While not sharing the views of the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton), may I ask if my right hon. Friend is aware of the enormous importance today of the State honouring its obligations to important sections of the community and seeing that justice, as pledged and promised in the past, is fully discharged? Will my right hon. Friend argue with the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the possible inflationary consequences of doing this thing can be taken care of by other means?

Mr. Vosper

I have to answer other Questions on the legal obligations in this matter. I will take note of what my noble Friend has said.

Mr. Rankin

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not he proposes to examine the claim and the basis on which the claim is founded?

Mr. Vosper

I should not like to add to my original Answer.

26. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Health if he is now prepared to accept the contractual obligation implied in the Spens Report as the basis of all future salary negotiations with the medical profession.

Mr. Vosper

I am advised that no legal contractual obligation exists.

Mr. Rankin

Does the Minister not realise that now he has properly decided to meet the doctors in negotiations over their claim for higher remuneration, it will be necessary for him to face up to what are called the implications, alleged or otherwise, of the Spens Reports?

Would it not be wise of him to take this matter into consideration in the negotiations?

Mr. Vosper

I have just said in my original reply that no legal contractual obligation exists. That opinion was conveyed to the doctors at an earlier meeting, and when they meet me in February they will be well aware of the position.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister not aware that this is one of the points which has caused every scalpel in Scotland at least to be drawn during the week-end and that there will be no satisfactory issue unless the matter is dealt with? The doctors do not accept the explanation he has given.

Mr. Vosper

I have already said that I will meet the doctors, and I shall look forward to that meeting; but I shall not be meeting them on the basis that a legal contractual obligation exists.