HC Deb 25 April 1950 vol 474 cc767-8
32. Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the letter of 11th April addressed to the Department of Health by the Fife County Council regarding the salaries of nurses; and what answer he has made.

Mr. McNeil

Fife County Council were informed on 17th April that a claim for increases in the salaries of public health nurses, including domiciliary nurses and midwives and health visitors, had been referred for arbitration to the Industrial Court. The Court heard the case yesterday.

Mr. Stewart

Is the right hon. Gentleman fully aware of the effects of the poor salaries offered to domiciliary nurses upon the increased demand for hospital beds on account of the lack of home nursing?

Mr. McNeil

I am quite aware of the relationship, but I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is not asking me to set aside the appropriate machinery for discussing claims of this kind.