§ 23. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations on the future pay structure of ancillary staff and nurses of the National Health Service.
§ Mr. FowlerI discussed the development of permanent arrangements for nurses pay with the Nurses and Midwives Whitley council on 17 March. As a result I have asked my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health to chair a small working group, on which both sides of the Whitley council will be represented, to produce more detailed proposals. We are anxious to move forward on this complex issue and I hope the working group will meet shortly. No long-term change in the pay structure of ancillary staff is under negotiation.
§ 30. Mr. Raceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement concerning the progress of negotiations on Health Service pay.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer the hon. Member to ray right hon. Friend's reply to him on 6 April.—[Vol. 21, c.294.] These offers remain on the table.
§ 40. Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the dispute in the hospital service.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI very much regret that some industrial action is taking place in some parts of the Health Service. It is the responsibility of district health authorities to respond to this action at local level.
The Government have given clear general guidance on the handling of industrial action and I look to regional health authorities, in the exercise of their general management responsibilities, to follow this guidance when they are assisting to resolve local problems.