§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hours have to be worked by hospital doctors before they receive overtime pay; if he is satisfied with their rate of pay and with the number of hours they are required to work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonHospital doctors do not work fixed hours; but junior and intermediate grades are entitled to minimum periods of time off under the conditions specified in their terms of service and if these are encroached on, extra duty allowances are payable at rates determined on the advice of the Kindersley Review Body. A doctor will have been on duty or on call for an average of a little over 100 hours a week before qualifying for the allowance. Hospital authorities have recently been asked the provide detailed information about the working of the system which it is hoped will enabled further advice to be given on how extra duty might be reduced.