53. Mr. B. Taylorasked the Minister of Health if he will state the position respecting the claim for a responsibility allowance for group pharmacists in the hospital service.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo such claim has been made.
54. Mr. B. Taylorasked the Minister of Health if he will now make a statement on the staffing of hospital pharmaceutical departments.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithFollowing a Report I have received from the Standing Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee, I am about to send to hospital authorities further advice on the organisation of pharmaceutical departments so as to make the best use of the available trained manpower.
Mr. TaylorCan the Minister say how long these negotiations may go on, because it is some time since they were started and it is about time some conclusion was reached on this very important matter?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am proposing to issue a memorandum based on the Committee's report on the 28th of this month.
55. Mr. B. Taylorasked the Minister of Health if he will state the salary scale for clerical workers in the hospital service at the age of 32 years and that of a male assistant in dispensing of a similar age and holding the certificate of the Society of Apothecaries.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAssuming in each case service in the National Health Service since age 21, a male clerk at present at age 32 would receive £489, £545 or £573 per annum depending on the work he is doing and his grade prior to the recent regrading operation; an assistant in dispensing would receive £530 per annum and may in respect of certain responsibilities be entitled to additional allowances up to a maximum of £70.
Mr. TaylorDoes not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think that by comparison the salary scales of these pharmacists are very low? Will he do something about this?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe salary scales for these two respective callings are matters for the appropriate Whitley Councils. I would only add that the number of assistants in dispensing in the National Health Service has increased very substantially from the inception of the National Health Service up to the present day. This is some indication, at any rate, that the employment and conditions thereof are not altogether unattractive.