§ 64. Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will refer union pressure against nurses and midwives on statutory committees of the Whitley Council for study by Lord McCarthy.
§ Mr. DeakinsI am not aware of any such difficulties on the Whitley Council responsible for the pay and conditions of service of nurses and midwives, but this would in any case be an internal matter for the staff side to resolve.
In some places, representatives of TUC affiliated unions are declining to participate in joint staff consultation with representatives of professional bodies. Lord McCarthy has already received evidence on the present operation and effectiveness of joint consultation. He will, no doubt, be commenting on this subject in his report, which my right hon. Friend expects to receive in the summer.