HC Deb 28 June 1974 vol 875 cc572-3W
Mr. Woodhouse

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will reorganise the Whitley Council for the nursing profession and related professions to ensure that the management side are free to negotiate independently of her Department.

Dr. Owen

The Whitley Councils were established by voluntary agreement between staff and management and their constitutions are a matter for agreement between the two sides; the management sides, which contain only a minority of departmental members, themselves decide the terms on which they are prepared to negotiate settlements although the implementation of settlements after they have been reached requires statutory approval under the NHS Acts.