§ 12. Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make a statement on the progress towards restructuring salary scales in the Bromley Area Health Authority following the reorganisation of the health service.
§ Dr. OwenMost of the salary structures applicable to the new management posts in the reorganised NHS have now been notified to employing authorities. Bromley Area Health Authority, like other area authorities, has already been asked to prepare its scheme of management.
§ Mr. StanbrookOne accepts the difficulties inherent in speeding up this process, but is the hon. Gentleman aware 193 that the current delay is causing many younger people increasing frustration and is forcing many of the older, more experienced people to seek earlier retirement? The older, more experienced people are the people whose services we can ill afford to lose.
§ Dr. OwenI share the hon. Gentleman's concern. We shall do everything possible to attempt to speed up the matter. The problem that confronted us when we took office was that the reorganisation had been long delayed. Many posts remained unfilled, and there was a large backlog to catch up on. But I agree that morale is an important factor, and we shall speed up this matter as much as possible.