HC Deb 24 November 1987 vol 123 cc128-9
6. Mrs. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy towards redundancy arrangements in the National Health Service in the light of the decision of the employment appeal tribunal in the case of Cato v Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's special health authority that the authority unlawfully discriminated against Mrs. Cato.

Mrs. Currie

The hon. Lady will be aware of the statement made on 28 October by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment about the changes that the Government intend to make to statutory redundancy provisions, under which currently a woman cannot claim redundancy pay over the age of 60. The management side of the general Whitley council will shortly be reviewing present NHS redundancy arrangements.

Ms. Walley

I thank the Minister for her reply, and I am indeed aware of the announcement by the Secretary of State for Employment. Will the Minister tell us when the Whitley council arrangements will be announced? Does the Minister intend to back-date pay for women who have been illegally discriminated against, as they are now entitled to redundancy payment following the signing of the treaty of Rome?

Mrs. Currie

The review that I mentioned will be conducted as quickly as possible. The hon. Lady is probably not aware that the current arrangements were introduced more than 20 years ago by a Labour Government headed by the present Lord Wilson. I have no intention of back-dating the changes to then.

Ms. Richardson

Is the Minister aware that her right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment, in spite of his statement, could have saved her and the DHSS some embarrassment if he had accepted a Labour amendment during the passage of the Sex Discrimination Act 1986 which would have prevented what is happening now? We should welcome the ending of discrimination in the National Health Service. Will the Minister make it her business—I know that she has the power to do so—to ensure that the Government extend the reform to the private sector as well?

Mrs. Currie

The hon. Lady should be aware that the Government are steadily removing the discriminatory rules against women that were introduced by previous Labour Governments. We have done better for disabled housewives and for married women caring for the sick. I am not in the least embarrassed. I am pleased with the progress that is being made.