§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are being made to cope with the backlog of operations resulting from the recent National Health Service supervisors' dispute.
§ Mr. EnnalsIt is for health authorities to take appropriate local action in the light of their particular circumstances and within the resources available to them. Industrial action, whether by works supervisors or other Health Service staff, is one of the general factors which in recent years have led to an increase in waiting lists for hospital treatment. We shall continue to tackle the general problem of waiting lists through discussions with health authorities, which have been asked to pay particular attention to this question in their planning. I am considering what further initiatives would be useful.