§ 19. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the grievances suffered by Scottish male nurses serving away from home on account of their conditions being worse than those agreed for similar staffs in England and whether he has been able to ensure not less favourable conditions to the Scottish male nurses than those in effect in England?
Mr. JohnstonI am glad to be able to say that the conditions for transferred male mental nurses in Scotland have been assimilated to those applicable to similar officers in England and the provisions operate retrospectively from the same dates. The new conditions briefly state that where a married officer is required to transfer his home he will be paid £1 1s. per week or be provided with free billeting, and that officers who can arrange to remove their homes will be refunded their removal expenses. In addition there are allowances to unmarried officers who have continuing liabilities. For further details I would refer the hon. Member to the terms of the circular, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. MathersDoes that mean that the retrospective payments will be made quite soon?
Mr. JohnstonYes, and they will be made back to the same dates as those from which they are paid in England.