§ 9. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Health what reply he has sent to the letter sent to him by the Blackburn branch of the Confederation of Health Service Employees forwarding a petition signed by nearly 200 nurses employed in Blackburn hospitals on the subject of nurses' pay.
§ Mr. PowellI am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mrs. CastleAs the Government themselves now admit that their incomes policy has been very unfair to people like nurses, will the Minister give the House a firm assurance that the award of the Industrial Court, when it is announced, will be honoured by the Government both immediately and in full?
§ Mr. PowellThat was given by my hon. Friend the then Financial Secretary in a debate earlier this Session.
§ 38. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health what progress has now been made in the negotiations in the Whitley Council regarding the nurses' salary claim; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PowellThe claim has been referred to arbitration. I understand the hearing is on 20th August.
§ Mr. SorensenWhen is the Report about this very important matter likely to be made, especially in view of the suspicion which still exists in the nursing profession?
§ Mr. PowellI understand that the awards are usually issued shortly after the hearing.
§ Mr. MarshIn view of the public interest in this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the Government will accept the decision of the arbitration court?
§ Mr. PowellI do not think that the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Marsh) was in the House when I pointed out earlier that that undertaking had been given by the Government in debate earlier this Session.