HL Deb 01 April 1976 vol 369 cc1284-5

3.8 p.m.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My 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 it is their policy to deny groups of staff on the National Health Service representation on joint staff consultative machinery because they have chosen to belong to professional organisations which are nationally recognised negotiating bodies rather than to trades unions.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, my right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for Social Services, for Scotland and for Wales, support the agreement on joint staff consultation reached by the General Whitley Council for the Health Services for Great Britain which has been promulgated to health authorities. This agreement makes no distinction whatever between staff organisations represented on National Health Service Whitley Councils.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask him to make it quite clear, for the sake of the National Health Service in this country, that his reply is either, No, or, Yes?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

I thought I had been perfectly clear, my Lords. I said that the agreement made no distinction between staff organisations represented on the National Health Service Whitley Councils. I do not think I could be any clearer than that.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord, may I ask him whether he is aware that I always like either, No, or, Yes, because that makes it easier for the many people who are not knowledgeable about the way in which Ministers of all Governments answer Questions? If he would just say, No, or, Yes, that would be much happier for the National Health Service as a whole.

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE

Hear, hear!

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, I think the noble and learned Lord will agree that it is not always possible to answer No, or, Yes, to every Question. If I may call on history, I could ask the noble Baroness whether she has stopped beating her next door neighbour.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

I have never beaten my next door neighbour, my Lords.

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE

My Lords, do not the greatest number of Government Answers in this House amount to, No, and, Yes?