HC Deb 26 October 1982 vol 29 cc373-4W
30. Mr. Frank R. White

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will meet the chairman of the North-West regional health authority to discuss financial allocations for National Health Service pay.

Mr. Fowler:

I have no plans to do so. I have already discussed the general issue with RHA chairmen collectively.

31. Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will meet the Trades Union Congress Health Service Committee to discuss the machinery for determining National Health Service pay.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

Discussions are already in progress on new pay determination arrangements for nurses and midwives and separately for the professions represented on the main Whitley PTA Council. We remain prepared to meet the Trades Union Congress health service committee to discuss pay determination arrangements for other groups of National Health Service staff whenever they are ready to call off industrial action and begin talks.

32. Mr. Laurie Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from district health authorities about the National Health Service pay offers made by the Government.

Mr. Fowler:

My Department has received a number of representations—both in writing and otherwise—from district health authorities during the current dispute. Most authorities have primarily expressed their concern at the effect the action is having on patient care.

34. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent meetings he has had with nurses and Health Service workers' representatives to discuss Health Service pay; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 18 October.—[Vol. 29, c. 23–31.]

35. Mr. McKay

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the chairman of the Trent regional health authority about Her Majesty's Government's financial allocations for National Health Service pay.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

I have not received any formal representations from the chairman. I have taken part in informal discussions with him on the subject, during the course of the present dispute.

40. Mr. Weetch

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the British Medical Association about the National Health Service pay negotiations.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

A letter was received from the general medical services committee of the British Medical Association in July stressing the need for an early end to the National Health Service pay dispute.

41. Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Medical Practitioners Union about the National Health Service pay negotiations.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

We received a telex message from the medical practitioners union section of ASTMS in July and a letter from the South London branch in August asking that more money should be made available for Health Service pay. This is in line with the frequently stated policy of ASTMS as a whole, as that union is a member of the TUC health services committee.