§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the starting salary for(a) junior house officers and (b) senior house officers in (i) the north-west, (ii) the south-east, (iii) the north-east, (iv) the midlands and (v) Scotland was in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001; what it is in 2002; and what it will be in (1) 2003 and (2) 2004. [44998]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 25 March 2002]: The basic starting salaries of junior doctors are negotiated and determined nationally, and therefore show no regional variation. This includes Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The following table shows as starting salaries the first scale point for house officers and senior house officers over the period 1999 to 2002.
House officer Senior house officer 1999 16,710 20,845 2000 17,260 21,535 2001 17,935 22,380 2002 18,585 23,190 These are basic salaries, subject to a post-specific supplement to reflect the intensity and unsocial hours aspects of the work of that post. Supplements range from 1009W 20 per cent. of basic salary to 70 per cent. of basic salary; most posts attract at least 50 per cent. Regional variations are not significant. The salaries of doctors in training form part of the remit of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB). Doctors' pay is influenced by DDRB recommendations and salary levels in 2003 and beyond will be dependent upon the views of that body in the light of the circumstances at the time.