§ 77. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that local health authorities have instructed village nursing associations that they must increase the salaries, of district nurses, retrospectively, as from 1st January 1946, and that an many cases the increase amounts to over 100 per cent.; that village nursing associations have not sufficient funds in hand to meet 'the increase; and what action does he propose to take in the matter.
§ Mr. BevanI presume the hon. Member is referring to the increases in the salaries of district nurses recommended by the Rushcliffe Committee. Where these increases are paid by a nursing association the Exchequer pays one half of the expenditure involved and the local authority may if they wish contribute the remainder.
§ Mr. ShephardIs the Minister aware that many of these village nursing associations are in danger of breaking down through this instruction, and the committees feel that they will have the greatest difficulty in raising the half that they must provide?