§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officials of(a) Shetland health board and (b) Orkney health board have received formal training in conducting wage negotiations with representations of nursing staff; and if he will make a statement. [29020]
§ Mr. LangTwo senior officials from Shetland health board and one from Orkney health board attended a seminar on local pay bargaining in May. These seminars were part of a programme offered to all health boards in Scotland.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department issued guidance to the Orkney and Shetland health boards in respect of the local negotiation with nursing staff and other professions allied to medicine concerning 1995–96 wages and salaries. [29019]
§ Mr. LangNo such guidance has issued.
My Department is in regular contact with all health boards on a range of issues including local pay bargaining.