§ 20. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if any increase of pay, gratuity, or war gratuity has been or is to be given to the naval nursing sisters for their work?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI presume that my hon. and gallant Friend's question refers to nursing sisters and reserve nursing sisters of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service, and not to V.A.D. nursing members or British Red Cross Association nurses employed in naval hospitals. The rates of pay of Reserve nursing sisters wore revised in September, 1919. The rates of pay for nursing sisters (active service) is at present under consideration. We are at present in correspondence with the War Office on this point, and that Department hopes to be in a position to give its observations shortly. No war bonus is payable to nurses, as they arc in receipt of free victualling, and the larger part of their uniform is provided at public expense. It has been decided to extend the War Office scheme of war gratuities for nurses to the naval nursing staff, and it is hoped to publish full details in the Press at an early date.