§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which of the proposals contained in the McCarthy report on Whitley Councils he proposes to implement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinImportant proposals for defining the Government role in NHS Whitley pay negotiations, and for the reconstitution and reinforcement of Whitley management sides have already been implemented. Many of the other proposals for change in what is essentially a voluntary system of bargaining require the agreement of the negotiating parties and I am considering how best to encourage progress. I attach special importance to securing greater flexibility in Whitley agreements which would give more discretion to meet local needs.