§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about progress in implementing the recent regrading exercise for National Health Service staff.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 24 July 1989]: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the regrading of medical laboratory scientific officers. The assignment of existing posts to new grades under the medical laboratory scientific officer regrading exercise is a matter for the health and social services boards. In each board this involves a review of each post against the needs of the board. The exercise is at a fairly advanced stage in all the boards and local staff interests are being consulted. However, due to the work involved it has not been possible to assign the new grades before 1 April this year as had been planned.