§ 41. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Health if he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the six lowest financial grades of hospital workers, their hours of work, moneys received and the approximate number of workers in each grade, giving male and female staff, respectively.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, Sir.
§ Mr. LewisDo not these figures show that these workers are amongst the lowest-paid section of the population, and is it not rather immoral of the Government to stop the wage increases recommended to these workers whilst at the same time paying hundreds of pounds a year extra to members of nationalised boards, who are already receiving thousands of pounds a year in salary? Is it not immoral for the Government to give it in one instance and not in the other?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIn regard to the first part of that supplementary question, the figures can best speak for themselves. In regard to the second part, the question of nationalised industries is not one for which I have responsibility.
§ Following are the figures
| HOSPITAL SERVICE (ENGLAND AND WALES | |||||
| Category of Staff | Weekly Hours of Work | Annual Remuneration or Salary Scale (Adult Rates) | Approximate Numbers of Workers | ||
| Male | Female | ||||
| Clerical: | |||||
| Grade A.1 | 38 | £335–£453 (male) | 186 | 2,605 | |
| £312–£405 (female) | (These figures include staff under 21) | ||||
| Domestic and Ancillary: | |||||
| Group 1 | 46 | £424 (male) | Annual equivalents of weekly rates | 9,550 | 57,100 |
| £318 (female) | |||||
| Group 2 | 46 | £434 (male) | 6,300 | 2,600 | |
| £328 (female). | (These figures include part-time staff equivalents) | ||||
| (These are flat rates, not a scale) | |||||
| Cardiological Technicians: | |||||
| Grade III | 39 | £280–£415 | 211 of all grades (including staff under 21. Information on distribution by grade and sex is not available.) | ||
| Electro-Encephalography Recordist: | |||||
| Assistants | 39 | £270–£380 | 81 of all grades (as above) | ||
| Dark-room Technicians | 39 | £295–£440 (male) | 696 (including staff under 21. | ||
| £267–£392 (female) | No separate figures for males and females are available.) |
| NOTES |
| 1. The salary rates quoted are those operating outside the London area. London staff receive an additional allowance. |
| 2. Except for Ancillary staff, where separate female rates are quoted, an equal pay scheme is operating. Male and female rates will be equal on 1st January, 1961. |
| 3. Some other hospital service grades have minimum salaries within the ranges shown above but receive higher maxima than those tabled. |
| 4. Training and apprenticeship grades are not included. |