REMUNERATION OF DOCTORS AND DENTISTS

HL Deb 12 March 1957 vol 202 cc459-61

4.0 p.m.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, I apologise for interrupting the business of the House, but I thought it would be the wish of your Lordships that I should intervene to make a statement on the Royal Commission on Remuneration of Doctors and Dentists which is being made in another place by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in answer to questions there. It is as follows:

" The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment as Chairman of the Commission of Sir Harry Pilkington. With permission, I will circulate the names of the other members of the Commission in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I will, if I may, recapitulate the main events that have led up to the appointment of the Commission. Last June a claim was submitted for an increase of not less than 24 per cent. in the remuneration of doctors in the National Health Service. Apart from the very large sum involved the Government felt that the claim raised important questions of principle which required further investigation. They therefore concluded that the general interest, including that of the professions concerned, would be best served by calling in the advice of an independent body. It would perhaps be convenient to restate the terms of reference:— 'To consider—

1. (a) How the levels of professional remuneration from all sources now received by doctors and dentists taking any part in the National Health Service compare with the remuneration received by members of other professions, by other members of the medical and dental professions, and by people engaged in connected occupations;
2. (b) What, in the light of the foregoing, should be the proper current levels of remuneration of such doctors and dentists by the National Health Service;
3. (c) Whether, and if so what, arrangements should be made to keep that remuneration under review:

And to make recommendations.'

I have asked the Chairman to regard the work of the Commission as a matter of urgency.

"I have already explained that the appointment of the Commission does not preclude an interim adjustment in advance of and without prejudice to its recommendations. The Government have already decided to make such an adjustment without delay in the remuneration of junior hospital staff, both medical and dental, up to and including the grade of senior registrar, all of whose remuneration will be increased by 10 per cent. from April 1 next. We are also considering what should be done by way of an interim adjustment for the other doctors and dentists covered by the Commission's term of reference. I shall make a further statement on this matter in due course.

"The Government are convinced that this procedure is a fair and proper one. They are also confident that with good will on all sides it should result in the position of the medical and dental professions in the National Health Service being placed upon a mutually satisfactory and lasting basis."

Following are the names referred to:

• Mrs. Kathleen Mary Carver Baxter.
• Arthur Desmond Bonham-Carter, Esq.
• John Henry Gunlake, Esq., C.B.E., F.I.A., F.S.S., F.I.S.
• Professor John Jewkes, C.B.E.
• Ian Donald McIntosh, Esq.
• Sir David Hughes Parry, Q.C.
• Sir Hugh Watson.
• Samuel Watson, Esq., C.B.E.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, we are, of course, much obliged to the noble Marquess the Leader of the House for his courtesy in giving us a repeat of the statement made in another place. Do I understand that this statement was made by the Prime Minister or by the Minister in charge?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

By the Prime Minister.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS BOROUGH

That is interesting, because we understood that a deputation from the doctors was received in the course of the last few days by the Prime Minister. I was wondering whether this statement was couched in the light of that interview. I hope very much that the inquiry will be successful in bringing understanding and peace to these professional men who have served the State and the nation at large so well. I still do not understand, looking at the terms of reference, what is the reason for this delay in dealing with the matter and why the Commission is necessary. There is nothing here really which was not covered by the details of the Report of the Spens Committee, I suppose it is no use saying anything further, however, for now that the Government have made up their minds they will not move in the matter. But I should have thought that the Spens Committee, with a legal chairman with great legal experience, could have dealt with these persons, as they did in their Report, at least as ably as a Commission of this sort.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

As the noble Viscount is probably aware, the Government have decided that they cannot accept the interpretation which the profession puts upon the Spens Committee's Report. It was thought, therefore, very important to have a completely impartial inquiry, so as to get a Report which would be satisfactory to all concerned.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

May I read this statement as meaning that instead of taking up the position of a few weeks ago—that no interim adjustment was possible except in respect of junior officers of hospital staffs—the Government have withdrawn from that position, and it is now possible to have an interim adjustment for anyone concerned in the profession?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

If the noble Viscount will refer to the statement he will see what the position is. I would refer him to the sentence: We are also considering what should be done by way of an interim adjustment for the other doctors and dentists covered by the Commission's terms of reference.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

"Considering what should be done "—that means something or nothing.