§ 36. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Health what was the cost of the pay increase awarded to physiotherapists and radiographers on 29th October, 1964; and what was the estimated additional administrative cost of calculating and paying the award which was back-dated to 1st July, 1963.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe estimated annual cost for hospitals in Great Britain was £666,000; the administrative cost of implementing the increase in pay is not readily identifiable.
§ Mr. MartenI welcome these increases and recognise that excessive difficulties were involved in calculating them, but does not the Minister agree that a 16-month back-dating places a very great burden on hospital finance boards? In future, could everything be done to get this period down to a minimum while nevertheless giving people a fair wage?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am afraid that this operation was inevitable in the circumstances in question. I am aware that a lot of these pay increases in the Health Service are extremely complex and that they place burdens on finance departments. I am investigating ways in which they can be simplified in the future.