§ 6. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health what will be the hourly rate of pay for third-year student nurses when the pay award is implemented; and what is the average number of hours spent by each nurse in attending lectures additional to nursing duties.
§ Mr. BraineAbout 3s. 2d. general and 3s. 8d. psychiatric. Working hours include between 180 and 270 hours of formal instruction per annum.
§ Mr. PavittIs it not an appalling situation when a girl of 22 or 23 is getting 3s. 2d. an hour for about a 90-hour week? Is it not time, through the Whitley Council or some other machinery, that more adequate payment for these nurses was arranged?
§ Mr. BraineThe hon. Member knows perfectly well that the recent industrial court award gave substantial increases to qualified staff, and thus improved the future rewards for the student nurse who successfully completed her training. I must emphasise that the time for formal instruction is included in the working hours.