§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has had on pay determination from the negotiators of the professions supplementary to medicine; why he rejected their request for a meeting; if he will now reconsider his decision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have received separate representations on improvements in pay determination for the professions supplementary to medicine from the management and staff sides of the Professional and 509W Technical "A" Whitley Council. In addition, the staff side asked for urgent discussions with representatives of the Government. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied that we attach importance to finding a way of ensuring that the pay of the PSMs is kept up to date and that discussions on methods of pay determination have already started in respect of nurses and midwives who have a similar problem. He also explained that we believe it would be sensible to see what emerges from those discussions before considering a meeting on the PSMs.