§ 31. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health what representations he has received in respect of charges to hospital nursing staff which have diminished the real value to them of recent salary increases; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. BraineNine letters. I am sending the hon. Member copies.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes that mean that the hon. Gentleman will also supply me with the information which I have asked for in the Question? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Question has been put down as a projection of a letter sent to him by a local body in which it makes these allegations? Would the hon. Gentleman say in anticipation of the letter to me whether the increased charges in some cases abolish the value of the increased salaries?
§ Mr. BraineThe hon. Gentleman might have surmised that the letter would set out the answer in full. What the hon. Gentleman says must be seen against the background of general increases over the last few years and the arbitration in March last. The Industrial Court accepted the view of the management side that an increase in charges was overdue. The outcome was a general increase for qualified staff. This has been accepted by the profession. I do not think that there is anything I can now do about an award by the Industrial Court.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I press the hon. Gentleman and ask him whether, in certain cases at least, the increases have been entirely nullified by the increased charges? Would he give me a specific reply?
§ Mr. BraineI would not accept what the hon. Gentleman says. The increases 11 are to some extent offset by the additional provision for remissions; for off-duty absences of 48 hours or high multiples of 24 hours, provided the nurse is absent from the hospital. The extent to which the nurses will benefit from this provision will vary in individual cases.
§ Mr. SorensenIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest moment on the Adjournment.