HC Deb 09 May 1966 vol 728 c20
19. Mr. Hunt

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to meet the shortage of plaster technicians within the hospital service.

Mr. Loughlin

There is no such grade. I have no information of a general shortage of plaster orderlies.

Mr. Hunt

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many hospitals, including my own in Bromley, are finding it almost impossible to recruit plaster technicians at present, mainly because the salary scale of a fully trained technician is £12 7s. 6d., which is the same as for an unskilled hospital porter? Is it not time that these scales were drastically revised?

Mr. Loughlin

I am aware that one hospital in the Bromley H.M.C. Group has had a vacancy for a plaster orderly for some months, but there is no evidence that this shortage is of a general kind. I am sure that the hon. Member will like to know that the Ancillary Staffs Whitley Council is this year conducting a general review of the pay structure of these workers.