§ 49. Sir T. Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Defence why he is not to keep the undertaking made in paragraph 4 of Command Paper No. 2903 to bring service medical and dental officers into line with all ranks of all three Services whose revised rates of pay became effective from 1st April, 1966; whether he is aware of the concern aroused by this discrimination against a branch of the services which already suffers severe shortages; and if he will reconsider the matter.
§ Mr. ReynoldsThe undertaking to put new rates of pay for these officers into effect from 1st April, 1966, had to be58W deferred until 1st October, 1966, in accordance with the policy defined in the White Papers on the Prices and Incomes Standstill (Cmnd. 3073) and on the Period of Severe Restraint (Cmnd. 3150). I am aware of the disappointment which the officers must share with many other sections of the community affected by these necessary measures, but it would be wrong to make an exception in this case.