§ 52. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the lack of confidence created in the Whitley Councils as a result of his refusal to accept the recommendation regarding the hospital workers in November last; what representations he has received from the trade union seeking to abolish the veto of the Minister which over-rides such council decisions; and what steps are being taken to improve industrial relations and to restore confidence in the Whitley Council negotiating machinery.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI cannot accept the suggestion that the action taken by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself in the exercise of our express statutory duty was in derogation of the proper functions of the Whitley Council. The responsibilities of Ministers in this context have been fully 59W explained and are now better understood and no specific steps in regard to the Whitley machinery in the Health Service are at present in contemplation. I have not yet received any representations of the kind referred to.