§ 27. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to review the remuneration of public health medical officers.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 20th March, 1967.—[Vol. 743, cc. 1047–48.]
§ Mr. BraineIs not the Minister aware that that is very unsatisfactory indeed? Is he aware that the exclusion of public health medical officers from the review body machinery for remuneration was accepted by the profession on the assurance of the Minister of the day that increases paid to other National Health Service doctors would be taken into account? Is he further aware of the growing anger of public health medical officers because the present Government do not appear to be honouring this assurance?
§ Mr. RobinsonThere is no question of any assurance given by a previous Minister being dishonoured by this Government. I can assure the hon. Gentleman of that. I understand that the management side of the Whitley Council has recently proposed to the staff side that there should be an early meeting, so that discussions can be resumed.