§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to reorganise the hospital laboratory service in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement on the level of services for the public and the remuneration structure and conditions of service for the staff.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no present plans to reorganise the hospital laboratory service. The remuneration structure and conditions of service for hospital laboratory staff are matters for the appropriate Whitley councils. I understand that the management side of the Professional Technical Staffs B Whitley Council, the body that deals with medical laboratory scientific officers, is to put proposals for a comprehensive grade restructuring to the staff side at a meeting on 19 April. In the longer term, consideration will also be given to decisions made in response to the Management Advisory Service's report on pathology services staffing which is currently under consideration by the National Health Service Management Board. Any proposed changes will pay full regard to the need to maintain a high standard of service for the public.
Plans for Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.