HC Deb 16 March 1950 vol 472 cc1238-9
23. Sir Peter Macdonald

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the application for salary increases by domiciliary nurses and midwives which has been before the Whitley Council since last July.

28. Mr. T. J. Brooks

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the recent decision of the Whitley Functional Council for Nurses and Midwives to exclude public health nurses and domiciliary midwives from the revision of scales of salaries made for other grades of nurses and senior nursing posts in hospitals; and if he will take steps to remedy this injustice.

Mr. Bevan

This matter is now going to arbitration by the Industrial Court.

Sir P. Macdonald

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the court will be able to deal with this Matter, because it has been holding up things for a long time.

Mr. Bevan

I cannot answer that one. I am not in charge of the court.

Mr. Brooks

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some guidance and direction to the Whitley Councils about the consideration of these salaries? We are bound to agree that these two sections are the most important in the profession. They have to provide their own transport, also the cost of providing and keeping a Home. Are not the midwives and health visitors the means of keeping down the infantile mortality rate and will he not do something about it?

Mr. Bevan

This is a dispute between the Ministry of Health and the applicants for the increases, and all I can do is to leave it to the normal arbitration machinery.