§ Q8. Mr. C. Johnsonasked the Prime Minister if he will receive a deputation from the staff side of the Whitley Councils 1138 for the health services in connection with the new scheme for dealing with redundancy arising from the reorganisation of the hospital service on terms less favourable than those available for employees in comparable posts affected by reorganisation of local government or the water industry.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. Measures to deal with any redundancy arising from the Hospital Plan have been discussed with staff representatives and a scheme was published on 8th March.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs not the Prime Minister aware that his right hon. Friend has hitherto refused to discuss with the health staff associations their very serious objections to the present scheme? Is he further aware that there are about 30,000 public servants who could be affected by the reorganisation scheme, which will affect no less than 1,250 hospitals, and that their natural anxieties have been intensified by a sense of grievance that they are being treated less favourably in this case than other public servants?
§ The Prime MinisterI understood that it was generally agreed with the staff that redundancies as a result of the Hospital Plan will be very small. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to put any further questions on the details to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Prime Minister aware that there has been more interference with the Whitley Councils and with joint negotiating machinery in industry during the past six months than there has been since industrial councils started? Will he now set these councils free, and give them the liberty that they had previously to do their own business, so that these matters do not have to be referred to the Prime Minister in this House?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand the hon. Member's point, but I do not think that it has anything to do with the redundancy question.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonIs the Prime Minister aware not only that this redundancy agreement is quite unacceptable to the staff side but also that it has been the subject of Questions to the Minister of Health, in reply to which he has—inadvertently, no doubt—misled the House? In view of this fact, and if only 1139 to try to restore some of the morale of the Whitley Councils, which has been damaged by the Minister of Health, will the Prime Minister reconsider the request for him to receive a deputation?
§ The Prime MinisterI have not been asked to receive a deputation.
§ Mr. JohnsonOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall take an opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment.