§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he has any plans to reform the procedures governing disputes between the British Medical Association and local health authorities; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many employment disputes are current between local health authorities and the British Medical Association; what has been the average time for settlement of such disputes over the past five years; and what is the average cost to the Health Service in locum salaries, ex gratia settlements and administrative costs of such disputes.
§ Mr. NewtonProcedures governing disputes between health authorities and recognised NHS staff organisations are a matter for each individual health authority. The General Whitley Council is responsible for general provisions relating to such procedures. I understand it has no plans at present to revise these provisions. However, the council is currently reviewing its agreement on procedures relating to individual employee grievances with a view to possible changes.
The detailed information requested is not collected centrally.