§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received from the Society of Radiographers and individual radiographers regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations; and if he will examine possible alternatives to this system for negotiating radiographers' pay;
(2)what representations he has received from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and individual physiotherapists regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations; and if he will examine possible alternatives to this system for negotiating physiotherapists' pay;
(3)what representations he has received from the Association of Occupational Therapists and individual occupational therapists regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations; an
(3) if he will examine possible alternatives to this system for negotiating occupational therapists' pay.
§ Mr. William RossI have received no direct representations about the system of Whitley Council negotiations but I have had approaches from members of the professions about their pay scales. Changes in the councils may be proposed by either side but, along with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, I am willing to consider any proposals the Staff Side may wish to put forward.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is prepared to meet a deputation from the Society of Radiographers to discuss their grievances regarding the way in which their pay is fixed, and the way pay, conditions, prospects and recruitment to the radiography profession are examined; and if he will make a statement;
149W(2)if he is prepared to meet a deputation from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy to discuss their grievances regarding the way in which their pay is fixed, and the way conditions, prospects and recruitment to the physiotherapy profession are examined; and if he will make a statement;
(3)if he is prepared to meet a deputation from the Association of Occupational Therapists to discuss their grievances regarding the way in which their pay is fixed, and the way conditions, prospects and recruitment to the occupational therapists' profession are examined; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. WilliamRoss: If the Staff Side on which these professions are represented wish to have a meeting, I or one of my colleagues will be glad to receive it.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received from the Society of Radiographers regarding the declining morale in the profession; what steps he intends taking to improve morale; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy regarding the declining morale in the profession; what steps he intends taking to improve morale; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what representations he has received from the Association of Occupational Therapists regarding the declining morale in the profession; what steps he intends taking to improve morale; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossI have had representations from the professions and am aware of their concern. I am associated with the approach which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has made to the Chairman of the Staff Side of the Whitley Council on which these bodes are represented about measures that would enable consideration of desirable developments in their role and structure to be pursued.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what central guidance on methods of stimulating recruitment of radiographers he is now considering;
150W(2)what central guidance on methods of stimulating recruitment of physiotherapists he is now considering;
(3)what central guidance on methods of stimulating recruitment of occupational therapists he is now considering.
§ Mr. William RossI am pursuing several possibilities; in particular, efforts are being made to increase the number of places for students at the training schools and to encourage married women to return to work.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give the comparative costs per hour, per eight hours, per normal working week, per weekend, for employing National Health Service and agency radiographers, respectively; and if he will make a statement;
(2)in view of the shortage of radiographers, what central guidance on methods of bringing radiographers back into the National Health Service from service with private agencies he will give to area health authorities in Scotland; and if he will make a statement;
(3)if he will give the proportion of employment time of agency-employed radiographers, as distinct from National Health Service radiographers, for the following years: 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973; if he intends taking any action to change this trend; and if he will make a statement;
(4)if he will give the comparative cost per hour, per eight hours, per normal working week, per weekend, for employing National Health Service and agency physiotherapists, respectively; and if he will make a statement;
(5)in view of the shortage of physiotherapists, what central guidance on methods of bringing physiotherapists back into the National Health Service from service with private agencies he will give to area health authorities;
(6)if he will give the proportion of employment time of agency—employed physiotherapists as distinct from National Health Service physiotherapists, for the following years: 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973; if he intends taking any action to change this possible trend; and if he will make a statement;
(7)if he will give the comparative cost per hour, per eight hours, per normal 151W working week, per weekend, for employing National Health Service and agency occupational therapists, respectively; and if he will make a statement;
(8)in view of the grave shortage of occupational therapists, what central guidance on methods of bringing occupational therapists back into the National Health Service from service with highly profitable private agencies he will give to area health authorities;
(9)if he will give the proportion of employment time of agency-employed occupational therapists, as distinct from National Health Service occupational therapists, for the following years: 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973; if he intends taking any action to change this trend; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossScottish hospitals have not employed radiographers, physiotherapists or occupational therapists from agencies except to a negligible extent; the only instance known to me occurred in 1971 when one hospital employed radiographers from an agency for four short periods.