§ 28. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that he will not reduce or stop any salary or wage increases for hospital workers freely negotiated by the appropriate Whitley Councils.
§ Mr. BarberNo, Sir, but there would have to be very compelling reasons for me to withhold approval to a Whitley agreement.
§ Mr. LewisWhy does the Minister say "No, Sir"? Is he not aware of the great disgust caused throughout the country, and not only in the Health Service, when one of his predecessors did this very thing? Can he not give an assurance that he will not interfere with voluntary trade union negotiations when those negotiations go through the proper channels? What right has he to interfere when the people within the industry freely negotiate an agreement? Will he net say that he will not interfere with them?
§ Mr. BarberThe hon. Gentleman asks what right I have to interfere. My right derives from Regulations that came into force in 1951. The pay of National Health Service staff cannot be negotiated without reference to the national interest in the widest sense, but I very much hope that circumstances will be such that it will not fall to me to withhold approval.