§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many meetings have been held between the Staff Commission and the National and Local Government Staff Association; what were the subjects discussed; and whether agreement was finally reached;
(2) if he will now halt all further arrangements to make appointments to the reorganised health service until the Staff Commission reaches agreement with the National and Local Government Officers Association;
(3) how many meetings his Department had with the National and Local Government Staff Association; what were the 30W grades of appointment discussed; and whether agreement was finally reached;
(4) if he will place in the Library the document issued by his Staff Commission which seeks to explain its differences with the organisations representing persons who qualify for appointment in the reorganised National Health Service;
(5) if he will take an early opportunity to make a statement explaining his policies concerning appointments to the reorganised National Health Service and the difficulties which are arising.
§ Sir K. JosephAs the hon. Member will know, it is one of the statutory functions of the NHS Staff Commission to take any steps, including the holding of prior discussions on procedures with staff and other interests, which it considers are appropriate for the purpose of selecting and recommending to regional or area health authorities and special health authorities persons who it considers are suitable for employment by any of those authorities. It was agreed after discussions with representatives of the appropriate staff organisations, including NALGO, that the Staff Commission should carry out centrally the advertising, assessing and short-listing for certain key posts in RHAs and AHAs; this and the resulting selection meetings are proceeding, and in the interests of patients and of staff as a whole it is essential that they should continue. I am aware that concern has been expressed and representations have been made because some candidates were not short-listed for AHA posts. The commission has considered these representations very carefully in conjunction with the assessors appointed in agreement with the staff organisations and as a result has issued a statement which will be placed in the Library.
Staff organisations have had many discussions, separately, with the commission and with my Department about various matters falling within the commission's purview. Many of these discussions covered a variety of subjects and it would not be practicable to give details in the form requested by the hon. Member.
I intend to make an announcement as soon as possible about the probable next stages of the arrangements which are being made on the advice of the commission concerning further appointments of 31W staff to the new NHS employing authorities.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the resources available for the establishment of posts in the new National Health Service in each of the three years from 1st April 1974.
§ Sir K. JosephThis will be a matter for each health authority in the light of priorities and the total resources available to it.