9. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements have yet been concluded to safeguard the superannuation rights of nurses serving in the Armed Forces of the Crown?
8. Viscountess Astorasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that voluntary hospital nurses who are called up for duty in His Majesty's nursing services have either to lose a substantial part of their pension benefits by reducing their contributions to the superannuation scheme or to cease the contributions and convert their policy into a paid-up assurance, or to pay contributions usually paid by their hospital as well as their own contributions; and whether, in view of the hardships imposed at present on nurses, he will arrange for the payment by the War Office of the employers' contributions?
§ captain margessonI have given careful consideration to the position under the Federated Superannuation Scheme of nurses from voluntary hospitals called up as members of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve or the Territorial Army Nursing Service but I am afraid that it would not be practicable for the War Office to pay the employers' contribution towards superannuation benefits, which had previously been paid by the hospital. I am, however, reviewing the conditions of service in the nursing service, and I hope to be in a position to announce very shortly certain increases in pay which will help to meet the difficulty which my hon. Friends have in mind.
Miss WardIn view of the fact that these negotiations have been going on for over 18 months, can my right hon. and gallant Friend say when he will be in a position to give decisions on the review?
§ Captain MargessonI think the matter is coming to a head now.