43. Mr. Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to see that the recent decision to increase the charge for board and accommodation of the staff in Scottish hospitals is revised where such accommodation is in Army huts as compared with that in permanent modern buildings.
Mr. McNeilThe principle of a flat rate has been accepted by the appropriate instrument, the Nurses Whitley Council, and I therefore do not propose to interfere.
Mr. MacdonaldIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this type of accommodation varies considerably in different parts of Scotland; and is it right that a man or woman should have to pay £100 a year for accommodation in a broken-down Army hut as compared with permanent accommodation in a solid residence?
Mr. McNeilIf the hon. Gentleman wants to destroy the machinery of the Whitley Council, he will, of course, submit proposals to that effect, but as long as the Whitley Council are the appropriate and operative instrument, I do not propose to interfere.
§ Mr. Thornton-KemsleyDo the Whitley Council also cover the cases of technical and administrative staff, who are also affected by this very serious decision which increases charges by over 100 per cent. in some cases?
Mr. McNeilI am afraid that I shall have to have a more precise description than that before I could answer.
Mr. McNeilI have no doubt that when the Whitley Council came to a 194 decision they had full information as to the conditions from both nurses and officials.