§ Ms ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's policy regarding recommendations for the new merit awards for 1993–94 resulting in pay rises of above 1.5 per cent.; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyExisting performance pay arrangements, including the merit or distinction award scheme for consultant medical and dental staff, will continue in the normal way. The value of distinction awards will increase by 1.5 per cent. from 1 April 1993.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in his reply to the hon. Member for Poole (Mr. Ward) on 12 February at column 838 that the Government had accepted the recommendation of the Doctors and Dentists Review Body for an increase in the number of distinction awards. We have now agreed with the medical and dental professions that there should be 178 new awards in 1993–94. As recommended by the review body this figure takes account of the increase in consultant numbers and of the agreement reached last year that postgraduate deans should be eligible to receive awards.