§ 14 Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for amending the contract of service for NHS consultants.
§ Mr. EnnalsIn April 1975 my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State agreed in principle to negotiate with the professions about a number of improvements in the consultants contract. Agreement on some of these matters was reached before the introduction of the counter-inflation policy in July 1975 prevented conclusion of further agreements for the time being, but within this limitation we are prepared to discuss the principles underlying the others.
§ 35. Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many part-time consultants in the National Health Service have a maximum part-time contract.
§ Mr. EnnalsI would refer the hon. Member to my hon. Friend's reply to him on 10th May.—[Vol. 911, c.75–6.]
§ 47. Mr. Peter Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hours on average he estimates that maximum part-time consultants devote to the National Health Service.
§ Dr. OwenI do not have sufficient reliable information to enable me to make an accurate estimate. Figures prepared in the autumn of 1974 suggested that maximum part-time consultants then devoted an average of about 55 hours a week to the NHS, including time spent travelling while on duty. That is the best estimate available, but I cannot say how accurate it was at the time or how well it reflects present working patterns.