HC Deb 12 March 1940 vol 358 cc987-8
27. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the decisions of the General Board of Control in Scotland, under Circular 255, not to allow male nurses, compulsorily transferred to other areas as a result of mental hospital evacuation, the additional board and lodgings thus necessitated and that only an allowance of 5s. is paid; and whether, in view of the hardship thus caused, he is prepared to take such steps as will ensure that the sacrifices asked of this class of worker are not of a punitive nature?

Mr. Colville

The circular referred to by the hon. Member made a provisional recommendation to mental hospital authorities that the standard billeting allowance of 5s. a week should be granted to transferred married attendants towards expenditure incurred by them in obtaining lodgings. A recommendation made by the Joint Conciliation Committee for Scotland, on which the Asylum Workers' Union is represented, that the allowance of 5s. should be increased is under consideration. I shall inform the hon. Member when a decision has been reached.

28. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the Joint Conciliation Committee for Scotland to standardise a 54-hour week before overtime is paid to male nurses in mental hospitals, and in this way worsen the conditions of nurses with an established 48-hour week; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the circumstances of the war are not used to worsen the practices agreed to between trade unions and employers?

Mr. Colville

I am not aware of any such proposal as is referred to by the hon. Member.

Mr. Woodburn

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into this matter, because both Glasgow and Larbert mental institutions have an established 48-hour week and because there is considerable apprehension at the proposal to pay overtime only after 54 hours instead of after 48 hours, as at present?

Mr. Colville

I have no information that the committee did in fact make such a suggestion, but I will certainly look into what the hon. Member has said.