§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has of health problems, in
104W(2) what action he intends to take to improve the pay and working conditions of scientists in the National Health Service;
(3) what action he intends to take to reduce the loss of National Health Service scientists to the private sector.
§ Mr. MellorThe pay of medical physicists, non-medical scientists and clinical psychologists is a matter for negotiation between the management side of the Scientific and Professional Staffs Council and the staff side representing scientists employed in the NHS. Negotiations are continuing on the staff side pay claim for 1989–90. The management side has set up a working party to investigate the recuitment and retention of scientists in the NHS and is currently considering its findings.