HC Deb 31 May 1965 vol 713 cc1162-3
50. Mr. Orme

asked the Minister of Health if he will report on the subcommittee set up three years ago in the National Health Service to report on an incentive bonus scheme for skilled building craftsmen.

Mr. K. Robinson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Down, North (Mr. Currie) on 18th May.

Mr. Orme

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the serious concern now being expressed amongst these Health Service workers, and that there is in fact a strike scheduled for 14th June amongst workers who have not taken part in that type of industrial dispute for a number of years? In view of the urgency of the situation, would he not reconsider the question of giving early consideration to their justifiable claims?

Mr. Robinson

I must remind my hon. Friend that this matter has not been neglected. We are going ahead with the experimental scheme, and I am told that the experimental approach is approved by the staff side of the Whitley Council. Consideration of this matter is being carried out by a joint subcommittee of the Builders' Committee of the Ancillary Staffs Council, which it was agreed to set up in July, 1963, and which first met in October, 1963, which is a good deal less than the three years ago mentioned in this Question.

Mr. Currie

Will the Minister consider making some temporary authorisation of an increase for these workers pending the outcome of the report?

Mr. Robinson

That is a matter for the appropriate Whitley Council.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Is my right hon. Friend aware that for workers on such meagre incomes to threaten industrial action is in itself a comment on the seriousness which they attach to the situation? Will he agree to bring pressure to bear on the parties concerned to speed up these negotiations as much as possible?

Mr. Robinson

I can only say that I am anxious to see this experimental scheme under way, and I shall do what I can to expedite it.

Mr. Frank Allaun

My right hon. Friend says that there has not been any neglect. Is he aware that for nearly two years under the previous Government, and for six months under this Government, these men have had to work below the district rate paid to other workers doing similar jobs?

Mr. Robinson

I said that the problem was not currently being neglected, or at least that is what I intended to say.

Mr. Charles Morris

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the delay in implementing an incentive scheme is causing considerable difficulty for hospital boards in competition for labour, and that there is a tremendous shortage of this category of worker, which is creating difficulties in the general hospital service?

Mr. Robinson

Yes, Sir, but perhaps I should point out to my hon. Friends that incentive bonus schemes such as are applied in industry, and even in some local authorities, are not easily introduced into the very different conditions of work in hospitals, partly because of the nature of the work, and partly because of the relatively small size of the labour force involved. But the matter is occupying our urgent attention.

Mr. Orme

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of my right hon. Friend's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.