§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Prime Minister whether he will make an announcement about the latest recommendations of the Review Body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Review Body's third report, which recommends increases in the remuneration of doctors and dentists in the National Health Service, is published today as a Command Paper. Copies are available in the Vote Office. The last increase in doctors' and dentists' remuneration was from 1st April 1972, and the report's recommendations, which the Government are satisfied are consistent with the pay code, are for new rates for the period April 1973 to March 1974. The increases would add about 4½ per cent. to the overall cost of net remuneration in 1972–73. The Government are most grateful to Lord Halsbury and his colleagues for their work in preparing the report and are ready to accept the recommendations.
The Government have just received, and are considering separately, supplementary recommendations on the salaries of doctors who will be filling posts in community medicine after National Health Service reorganisation.