HC Deb 02 July 1952 vol 503 cc47-8W
Mr. Arbuthnot

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement arising out of the Danckwerts award.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Yes. While the adjustment of salaries is a matter to be dealt with through the established negotiating machinery, the Government must be much concerned, as is this House, at any developments which might substantially affect the public purse and the general economic situation.

I want to make it clear that the terms of reference of Mr. Justice Danckwerts' Award were confined solely to the question of the remuneration of general practitioners in the National Health Service and his award has no wider application. In accepting the results of the adjudication, which was of an exceptional nature, the Government have by no means adopted the view that similar adjustments in other fields should follow. In their view there is no justification for any assumption that the appropriate standard of remuneration for the professional classes is a rate of 100 per cent. above that in force in 1939. They consider that remuneration should be determined in the light of all relevant circumstances.