HC Deb 26 March 1974 vol 871 cc259-60
11. Miss Fookes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Service if she will grant official recognition to the Regional Hospitals' Consultants and Specialists Association.

Mrs. Castle

No, Sir.

Miss Fookes

Why not?

Mrs. Castle

Because there are already arrangements for representing consultants and specialists in negotiations with the Health Departments. I cannot be expected to negotiate with two bodies rather than one.

Mr. Fry

Is the right hon. Lady aware that consultants in this country are already earning only about one-half or one-third as much as those holding similar positions in Europe? If she does not take note of their position and forces them to give up private practice, the drain of these experienced medical people will be a very serious problem indeed.

Mrs. Castle

The BMA has already made it clear to me that there is profound dissatisfaction among consultants. That is why I told the House during my speech in the debate on the Address that we are setting up a joint working party to examine the consultant's contract. We met the BMA's request, and it is delighted. It is also delighted that the Under-Secretary of State will be chairing that working party.

Mrs. Renée Short

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that if she ended the pernicious and invidious system of merit and distinction awards which are paid to only a minority of consultants, there would be more money for all consultants?

Mrs. Castle

I am sure that that would be one of the matters that the joint working party would want to look at.