§ 68. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health in view of the fact that the vetoed award of 3 per cent. by the Whitley Council to the health workers was regarded as an interim award pending the decision on the Report of Sir Noel Hall which was then awaited, and that that Report has been published, what steps are now being taken to remove the existing stalemate in this industry by giving effect to both awards simultaneously.
§ Mr. Lewis70, 71 and 72. asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware that a male clerical worker in the National Health Service on a maximum salary grade of£440 per annum in 1948 is only in receipt of£597 per annum in 1957, whereas a civil servant clerical worker in receipt of£450 per annum in 1948 is now receiving£725 per annum; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that National Health Service workers receive an increase of 61 per cent. in their salaries similarly to civil servants, in place of the 35½per cent. already received, in view of the publication of Sir Noel Hall's Report;
(2) whether he is aware that a higher executive who was receiving£800 per annum in 1948 has had this salary increased by 601 per cent. to£1,285 per annum, whereas an equivalent graded 11W worker in the National Health Service on£760 per annum in 1948 has only had his salary increased by 29½per cent. to£983 per annum; and what action he proposes to take to increase the salaries of these higher executives by 31 per cent., in view of the publication of Sir Noel Hall's Report;
(3) whether he is aware that an executive grade worker in the Civil Service in 1948 received£650 per annum, and that this rate has been increased by 61½per cent. to£1,050 per annum, whereas the equivalent grade in the National Health Service of£660 per annum in 1948 has only been increased by 30½per cent. to£862 per annum in 1957; and what action he proposes to take to grant a further 31½per cent. increase in the salaries of these workers in the National Health Service, in view of the publication of Sir Noel Hall's Report.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am aware that the salary scale maxima referred to have been increased as stated, although the grades concerned are not related. In 1948 the Civil Service grades received in addition regular overtime pay and extra duty allowance, which have now been abolished while these payments continue to some extent in the National Health Service. The adjustment made in Civil Service earnings reduces the percentage increase from about 61 per cent. to 49 per cent. I have undertaken to review my decision on the recent Whitley Council agreement—which is not correctly described as a veto—after an appropriate interval. On Sir Noel Hall's Report, I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave on 18th November to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop).