asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the communication from the Scottish region of the Association of Scientific Workers, forwarded by the hon. Member for Dunfermline Burghs, about the implementation of the new salary agreement covering medical laboratory technicians; and whether he will make a statement.

In common with other right hon. and hon. Members for Scottish constituencies, I received this circular letter on 30th November. I understand that agreement was reached recently on new salaries for all grades of medical laboratory technicians in the National Health Service, but the date for implementation is still to be fixed.