§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make a statement on the position of the professions supplementary to medicine and speech therapists in relation to the committee of inquiry into nurses' pay.
§ Mrs. CastleThere are certain professions whose pay has hitherto moved with that of nurses and it is appropriate that Lord Halsbury's inquiry should look at each of these. I am glad to say that Lord Halsbury and his colleagues have agreed to expand the terms of reference of their inquiry to include a requirement.
To examine the pay structure and levels of remuneration and related conditions of service of chiropodists, dietitians, occupational therapists, orthoptists, physiotherapists, radiographers, remedial gymnasts, speech therapists and helpers covered by the NHS Professional and Technical Whitley Council 'A'.Lord Halsbury has assured me that this expansion of the terms of reference of his inquiry will not delay his report on nurses' pay. He has emphasised the importance of a thorough study, which will inevitably take a little time, but he does not envisage a long delay in submitting a report on these professions after he has put forward his report on nurses. Increases in pay flowing from the inquiry will, as for nurses, be backdated to 23rd May.