§ 28. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Health how many posts for architects and for engineers, respectively, remain unfilled by regional hospital boards.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThese establishments are not subject to specific control by my Department and, consequently, there is no routine collection of current figures. A special inquiry in 1958 showed that on 1st April, 1958, there were 16 vacancies for architects against a total establishment of 152 and 42 vacancies for engineers against a total establishment of 128. I regret that no more recent figures are available.
§ Mr. BoydenIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there has been a very great deterioration in the circumstances since then and that the increased programme of building requires many more architects and engineers? What does he propose to do to provide recruitment not only for the future but to make up the present existing deficiencies?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIt may be that the figures have already deteriorated since 1958, the latest year for which I have them available. I attach importance to this question in the context of the increased hospital building programme. The precise rates of remuneration will be determined by arbitration, but, of course, the management side offered a substantial increase.