§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what steps he is taking to ensure continuing parity of pay between clinical academic staff and national health service doctors;
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals has available sufficient funds to continue parity of pay between clinical academic staff and national health service doctors.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthIt is for the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, as the representatives of university employers, to settle the pay levels of clinical and other academic staff within the aggregate resources available. The Government remain committed to the principle that universities will not be given less favourable treatment than the hospital and community health service in any decisions to provide additional funds to meet extra costs arising from the annual recommendations of the Doctors and Dentists Review Body on NHS doctors' pay.