HC Deb 16 October 1973 vol 861 cc19-20
25. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the average earnings of qualified physiotherapists, radiographers and speech therapists, and the approximate shortages of these National Health Service workers nationally.

Mr. Alison

Information on earnings as distinct from rates is not available centrally and would require a special survey. I am well aware that many authorities would wish to employ more of these professions but, in the absence of any generally accepted yardstick for measuring the need, it is not possible to make a meaningful estimate of national shortages.

Mr. Allaun

Surely the Minister is aware that after three years' training without pay these people have a starting wage of £24 a week. Will he undertake to raise these disgracefully low wages without delay? Is he aware that because of these low wages many patients in hospitals are waiting unnecessarily, and in pain, for treatment because the hospitals are only 50 per cent. staffed in these departments?

Mr. Alison

The Whitley Council has agreed to revised salaries effective from 1st April 1973 for basic grade physiotherapists, radiographers and others, details of which I can send to the hon. Member. The agreement has received Pay Board approval and the new scales were promulgated in September. Additional payments are made for emergency work outside normal working hours.

Mr. William Hamilton

Is the Minister aware that these people are grossly inadequately paid? Hon. Members on both sides of the House are receiving correspondence to this effect. Can the Minister give an assurance that, if the wages proposed fall outside the scope of phase 3 of the prices and incomes policy, they will still be made effective?

Mr. Alison

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman any such assurance. He will recall that, in a debate which we had before the Summer Recess, which dealt at least with speech therapists, it was pointed out that the level of pay was only one of the factors which contribute to the shortage of staff in this field.

Mr. Thorpe

Will the Minister bear in mind that, in the quest for these low-paid workers to be given substantially more, he will receive very little assistance from Her Majesty's Opposition which at its recent annual conference defeated the idea of guaranteed minimum earnings?

Mr. Alison

I note that helpful intervention. The right lion. Gentleman will recall that the Whitley Council is involved in these negotiations.