§ 35. Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Health what is the current maximum salary of a State enrolled male nurse.
§ Mr. Braine£650. excluding London weighting.
§ Mr. LubbockDoes the Minister realise that this represents for these people a decline of earnings in real terms of 5 percent. since 1949, in a period during which average earnings in manufacturing industry have increased by no less than 34 per cent.? Is he aware that most of these State enrolled nurses are getting less than the orderlies in the same wards in which they are serving and that very many valuable men are leaving the profession because of these niggardly salaries? What does he propose to do about it?
§ Mr. BraineIt is true that there was a net reduction of 70 male enrolled nurses last year, but the number of female State enrolled nurses—
§ Mr. LubbockI am talking about male enrolled nurses.
§ Mr. BraineI know, but the hon. Gentleman asks for a reply to his question and he should permit me to answer. The number of female enrolled nurses has increased by a net 761. I can make no comment on the question of remuneration. The hon. Gentleman has not asked me about that in his main Question. If he will put a Question down, I will endeavour to answer it. All I will say is that the salary scale for the State enrolled nurse was fixed by the Industrial Court in an award it made last April which was put into effect on 1st July.