§ 20. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the salary of a domiciliary midwife and of a sister in a maternity hospital, respectively.
§ Mr. MaclayThe salary of a domiciliary midwife at present varies from £478 to £641 a year according to qualifications. This salary range is now under review by the Nurses and Midwives 195 Whitley Council. Following a recent review, the salary scale of a midwifery sister is now £655 to £830 a year.
§ Miss HerbisonWould the Minister not agree that these two differences in salary explain why there is a great Shortage of domiciliary midwives in Scotland? Is he not also aware that these domiciliary midwives are having a very difficult time through overwork? Will not he do something to help?
§ Mr. MaclayI think the essential point is that nurses and midwives are represented by the Whitley Council. This body, as I think the hon. Lady will agree, is an excellent one and it has these matters in mind when considering salary scales in either section. I am advised that there is not a serious shortage of midwives all over Scotland, although I know that there are local problems.