HC Deb 20 February 1980 vol 979 c230W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what his policy is regarding pay claims by the medical profession for amounts which exceed the rate of inflation; and what effects any such settlement would have on the allocation of resources within existing cash limits.

Dr. Vaughan

The levels of pay for doctors working in the National Health Service are recommended by the independent Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration. Its recommendations are accepted by the Government except when there are clear and compelling reasons for not doing so. Health authority cash limits for 1979–80 have been increased to reflect most of the cost of the recommendations in the review body's ninth report. Health authority cash limits have not been fixed for 1980–81 and the review body has yet to make its report for 1980.