HC Deb 13 July 1982 vol 27 cc849-50
15. Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the Health Service workers' dispute.

Mr. Fowler

Since my statement to the House on 23 June announcing the Government's final decisions on the resources available for this year's pay round, detailed offers have been made by the management sides of several Whitley councils, including the nurses and midwives and the ancillary staffs council. On average the offers range between 6 and 7.5 per cent. and are in line with what several million people in both the public and private sectors have already accepted. The Health Service unions should now return to the negotiating table. There can be no justification for the industrial action, which is damaging the Health Service and harming patients.

Mr. Canavan

What reply has the right hon. Gentleman sent to the doctors in the Medical Practitioners Union who fully support the 12 per cent. claim and state that any risk to patients as a result of next week's three-day strike will clearly be the fault of the Secretary of State? In view of the billions of pounds of military expenditure, will the right hon. Gentleman explain why the Government place more emphasis on the manufacture of weapons of death than on ensuring a decent living wage for people who are concerned with the saving of life?

Mr. Fowler

The organisation that the hon. Gentleman mentioned does not represent the great body of the medical profession. The hon. Gentleman would do himself, his party and the country much more good if he would condemn industrial action in the NHS, which harms patients.