CAB129-52 — Page 110

APPENDIX

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DRAFT STATEMENT TO BE MADE IN REPLY TO AN ARRANGED QUESTION

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the Danckwerts Award to general practitioners, he has any statement to make about the adjustment to pay in other occupations.

Answer

Yes, Sir. While the adjustment of salaries is a matter to be dealt with through. the established negotiating machinery, the Government must be much concerned, as is this House, at any developments which might substantially affect the public purse and the general economic situation.

I feel that it is my duty to make clear that the Government in accepting Mr. Justice Danckwerts's Award on the remuneration of general practitioners have not at all accepted that similar adjustments in other fields are appropriate. The Government do not accept the principle that in other professional classes, including those in other branches of the National Health Service, the right standard of remuneration is 1939 salaries increased by 100 per cent. In their view salaries should be determined in the light of all the circumstances prevailing at the time.

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