§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, as part of its review of procedures relating to individual employee's grievances with local health boards, he will direct the General Whitley council to consider any changes intended to expedite settlement of such grievances.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythWhile my right hon. and learned Friend approves General Whitley council agreements in Scotland, he has no power to direct the deliberations of that council.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, as part of its review of procedures relating to individual employee's grievances with local health boards, he will direct the General Whitley council to seek to obtain statistics on the average time for settlement of disputes between local health boards and the British Medical Association and on the total cost to the Health Service in locum salaries, ex-gratia settlements and administrative costs of such disputes.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI believe that the hon. Member's concern may arise from a constituency case about which we are in correspondence, and I shall write to him.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will describe the remit of the current review being undertaken by the General Whitley council on procedures relating to individual employees' grievances with health boards; and what options are under consideration.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThere is no formal remit for the current review of General Whitley council grievance procedures. Informal exploratory discussions between management and staff sides are taking place which may lead to formal negotiations on a new agreement. It remains to be seen what options emerge during discussion and negotiation.