HC Deb 24 February 1958 vol 583 cc27-8
44. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health what conclusion was reached at the recent meeting of the Joint Consultants Committee as to the future of senior registrars who have completed four years in the grade.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The meeting was postponed at the Committee's request. It is now to take place on 27th February.

Mr. Robinson

Can the Minister give any hope that finality is to be reached in this matter, which has been dragging on now for several years? Does he not realise that he has an obligation to these men and that uncertainty as to their future is causing them really acute distress and anxiety?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I fully appreciate the importance of this problem to the senior registrars involved. The 27th February is only Thursday next. I think we had better wait and see what comes from the Committee.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Could the Minister give consideration again to whether this Committee is, in fact, fully representative, because there is a strong feeling in the profession that it is not?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I took note, of course, of what the hon. Member said on a previous occasion in regard to that. My understanding is that this Committee is an appropriate body to deal with this difficult and somewhat intractable problem.