§ 32. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health why audiological technicians have not been included in the grant of 7½ per cent. increase in salary for workers in other professions supplementary to medicine.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernard Braine)They are not among the classes covered by this Whitley agreement. They are represented on a different Whitley Council and have made a separate claim, which has been referred to the Industrial Court.
§ Dr. JohnsonCan the Parliamentary Secretary explain exactly why these very valuable and highly-skilled people are left out of the increase that has been made for the professions supplementary to medicine? Why does he not include them 1478 in the category of professions supplementary to medicine?
§ Mr. BraineI am glad to be able to assure my hon. Friend that these technicians have not been left out. Their claim has been the subject of dispute in their Whitley Council and has been referred to arbitration. While it is perfectly true that the work of these technicians is supplementary to medicine, they are not quite in the same category as those covered by the Act. They are outside the Act and are dealt with by a separate Whitley Council.
§ Dr. KingIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the hospital technicians and medical auxiliaries accepted the new Whitley award under protest? Does he not consider that there is need for an inquiry into the whole structure of the auxiliaries and technicians, such as those mentioned by his hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson), since these are extremely qualified men in a rapidly developing technological hospital service?
§ Mr. BraineThat may be correct, but it would be quite wrong for me, in the context of that supplementary question, to comment on a matter which is now the subject of arbitration.