HC Deb 07 May 1956 vol 552 cc814-5
14. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Health if he will establish, within the Whitley Council machinery, a mental nurses functional council with full autonomy and power to regulate the salaries, allowances and conditions of service, of student mental nurses and qualified and unqualified mental nurses

7. Mr. Slater

asked the Minister of Health what consideration he has given to the setting up of a separate council between hospital management committees and mental nursing organisations in the determining of wages and conditions for mental nurses

Mr. Turton

I would refer the hon. Members to my reply on 12th March to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop).

Mr. Collins

Is the Minister aware that the problem of mental nursing is almost entirely different from that of any other section of the nursing service and that in the recent negotiations only one representative was able effectively to speak on the staff side for mental nursing? Is he also aware that if he is to achieve the recruitment which he so much desires, this will not be done unless separate negotiating machinery is set up for mental nursing?

Mr. Turton

I must be guided by the wishes of those concerned, and I cannot impose my view on the Whitley Council. In fact, the staff side already have a mental nursing standing committee and, in practice, matters which particularly concern mental nurses are discussed between this committee and the management side

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that some of the anomalous situations arising out of the last award might have been avoided if we had had a really effective separate council for mental nurses?

Mr. Turton

I do not think so