Service Doctors and Dentists (Hansard, 31 May 1967)

§ Mr. Reynolds

My right hon. Friend explained on 12th April, 1967 in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) that the British Medical Association proposed that, in addition to the 10 per cent. already agreed by the Government, a further increase of 8 per cent. should be awarded to Service doctors and dentists. The British Medical Association also proposed that any new pay structure should be excepted from the terms of the White Paper on Prices and Incomes (Cmnd. 3235). The Government could not accept these proposals as being within the terms of the incomes policy; and I regret that the British Medical Association could not accept our invitation to join us in evolving a system for determining the pay of doctors in the Services which would satisfy all interests and which my right hon. Friend could commend to his colleagues. They have since declined to assist in the recruitment of doctors for the Armed Forces.

As I told the House on 30th January, we are fortunate to have Armed Forces medical services which are second to none. Their officers are fulfilling a vital role in each of the three Services, and they have brought the standard of medical attention enjoyed by servicemen and their families to an extremely high level. We are anxious to have a full complement of medical and dental officers in the Services; and we are therefore continuing to make every effort to recruit all the doctors and dentists we need. I hope that those members of these professions who are at present serving with the Armed Forces will accept my assurance that H.M.G. will do everything possible to find a satisfactory solution in this matter as quickly as possible.—[Vol. 740, c. 52–120; Vol. 774, c. 1193–4.]