§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the confidence of the workers in the functions of the Whitley Councils has been undermined by the action of the Government in refusing to implement the recent award 54W of 3 per cent. granted to the health service workers; and what steps he is taking to restore their confidence.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIt has always been known that Whitley agreements in respect of salaries and wages in the Health Service take effect only with the approval of the Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland. I see no reason why a decision properly taken in the exercise by my right hon. Friend and myself of a function placed on us by statutory regulations should undermine confidence in the system. The halting of inflation will do more than anything else to consolidate confidence among all sections of the community.