§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD DAVIES OF LEEKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of the discontent of maxillo-facial technicians in hospitals because of the poor salary scales of these highly trained people, as compared with the salary scales of other hospital technicians; and whether they are further aware that these inadequate scales of pay are such that there could be a complete breakdown in the treatment of patients requiring reconstructive prosthesis for cancer, road accidents and other deformities due to trauma or disease.
911§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (LORD ABERDARE)My Lords, the pay of dental technicians, including maxillo-facial technicians, is a matter for the National Health Service Whitley Council. In 1971 the Council set up a joint working party of the staff and management sides to revalue the work of dental technicians, following which the Whitley Council reached an agreement on November 3 for increased pay effective from April 1, 1972. This is now being implemented. As to the second part of the noble Lord's Question, I can assure him that the situation is kept under review by the Whitley Council.
§ LORD DAVIES OF LEEKMy Lords, I am grateful for that Answer, but may I ask whether the noble Lord is aware that apparently there is now a growing understanding of the meticulous and important professional and technical work that the maxillo-facial dental technician performs? These people are on call night and day for prosthetic and other types of work in cancerous and other conditions. Will the noble Lord help to break down the misunderstanding that has existed about the qualifications of these highly technical people who work in our hospitals and for which many of us, who know of their work, are grateful? I appreciate the nature of his reply and hope that it will be kept in view that these people are worthy of a higher scale of salary.
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I do not think that there has been any misunderstanding of the value of these technicians. They are rated on the same grade as senior dental technicians, and as well as the increase in pay which I have mentioned there is also an increased allowance for being on call for emergency duty out of hours.
§ LORD DAVIES OF LEEKI thank the noble Lord.
§ LORD TREFGARNEMy Lords, what is the highest salary scale available to the best qualified person as described in the Question?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, it was £1,587, and it is now £1,800.
§ LORD DAVIES OF LEEKMy Lords, I am grateful for the interrogation from 912 the other side of the House. That is exactly my point; I still think that they are worthy of a higher salary scale.
§ LORD DAVIES OF LEEKMy Lords, I am grateful for that advice. Is the noble Lord aware that I still think they are worthy of a higher salary scale?