§ Mr. Penhaligonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the reaons for the delay in implementing the new contracts for junior hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many junior hospital doctors are now being paid only a basic salary as a result of the failure fully to implement the new contracts;
(3) how many junior hospital doctors have now signed the new contracts and job descriptions; and how many have yet to do so.
§ Dr. OwenAs my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle), the former Secretary of State, indicated in her replies to the hon. Members for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) and Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 23rd March—[Vol. 908, c. 181–3.]—the completion of individual contracts depends on agreement locally between the junior doctors and their employing authority. Records are not maintained centrally of the number of contracts or job descriptions completed, nor of reasons for delay in signing contracts in particular cases. Health authorities were asked to make every effort to institute payments by the end of April, but I appreciate that there may be cases where this has not been possible.
§ Mr. Penhaligonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure that area health 205W authorities have sufficient funds to pay junior hospital doctors in full under the terms of the new contract.
§ Dr. OwenIt has been made clear to health authorities that the cost of the new junior doctors' contracts must be met from within their existing allocations.