§ 28. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the decisions reached at the meeting of the Joint Consultants Committee held on 27th February to discuss the senior registrar problem.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAfter a further discussion with officials, the representatives of the Joint Committee expressed a desire to discuss the subject with me. I have intimated my readiness to meet them at an early date.
§ Mr. RobinsonCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say for how long this matter, which was urgent two and a half years ago, is going to drag on? How is it that this Committee managed to complicate what is essentially quite a simple problem? Who are the stumbling blocks to a solution—his Department or the consultants?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am anxious to get an appropriate solution of this problem, the urgency of which I have already recognised in this House, by general agreement if at all possible; but an appropriate solution I must have in any event, and I have no doubt that the Committee will take note of the interest of hon. Members on this subject.
§ Mr. CroninIs it not the case that this meeting on 27th February reached a deadlock because the Minister wanted to make the setting up of the sub-consultant grade a condition for relieving the distress of the registrars?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo, I do not think that that represents a full or faithful précis of the Committee's decision. I am looking forward to seeing the Committee myself and discussing the problem with it. I hope the hon. Gentleman does not dissent from what I apprehend is the general view of hon. Members, that there ought to be a solution to this problem, and pretty quickly, too.
§ Dr. SummerskillCould the right hon. and learned Gentleman say how many registrars are wholly or partly unemployed while awaiting the decision of the Committee?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo, not without notice. Perhaps the hon. Lady will be good enough to put that Question down.