HC Deb 19 November 1973 vol 864 cc349-51W
Mr. Roderick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the operation of the staff commission dealing with appointments in the reorganised health service; and if he will make a statement on the position to date.

Sir K. Joseph

As explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt) on 2nd November.—[Vol. 863, c.29–31.]—it is one of the statutory functions of the commission to take any steps which it considers are appropriate for the purpose of selecting and recommending to regional or area health authorities and special health

date in 1970, 1971 and 1972 was as follows:

authorities persons who it considers are suitable for employment by any of those authorities. I am satisfied that the commission has acted properly in discharging this task. All the procedures have been completed in regard to the posts of regional administrator, regional medical officer, regional nursing officer and regional treasurer. In addition, I understand that area health authorities are now being enabled to offer appointments in the case of about 220 of the 270 area administrator, nursing officer and treasurer posts for which interviews have been completed. The commission has also given advice to AHA chairmen about the procedures to be used for filling the remaining posts.

Mr. Roderick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to improve the consultation procedures with employees involved in reorganisation.

Sir K. Joseph

I shall continue to stress the importance of consultation at national and local level. The arrangements which were agreed with the Staff Side for consultations between joint liaison committees and staff organisations and issued to authorities in May have become increasingly effective and will be carried on by the new authorities. The importance of consultation has been prominent in discussions with the chairmen of the new regional and area health authorities, and is being emphasised in the various circulars on matters affecting staff, notably the circular issued in August about transfer arrangements.

Mr. Roderick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will implement the decision of the Whitley Council for payment for additional duties performed by employees in the health service and employees in local government who are expected to transfer to the health service as a result of reorganisation.

Sir K. Joseph

The Pay Board has advised that the agreements on payments outside the pay limit for additional duties arising from reorganisation reached by the Administrative and Clerical Staffs and Nurses and Midwives Whitley Councils, and by Committee C of the Medical and (Hospital) Dental Council in respect of payments to local authority doctors, are not consistent with stage 2 of the Government's counter-inflation policy. Provision has been made in paragraph 154 of the stage 3 pay code to allow payments to be made outside the pay limit for such work connected with statutory reorganisation after 6th November; and I am ready to approve agreements for NHS staff which are consistent with that provision.