Written question asked by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Thursday, 4 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 November 1999. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 1999 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the career structure for laboratory technicians in the NHS. - Inc ref to proposals for modernising the National Health Service pay system in "Agenda for Change".

Answer: Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the career structure for laboratory technicians in the NHS. [97818] Mr. Denham: On 15 February 1999, the Health Departments published proposals for modernising the National Health Service pay system in "Agenda for Change3/4. Initial discussions with NHS trade unions on pay modernisation resulted in a Joint Framework of Principles and Agreed Statement on the Way Forward which was published on 8 October. Negotiations continue, aiming for a pay system which pays fairly for work done, with career progression based on responsibility, competence and satisfactory performance.

Secondary information