HC Deb 15 November 1965 vol 720 c675
32. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Minister of Health what hours of overtime at plain-time rates are being worked per week by the staff at Broadmoor Hospital; and whether he will make a statement on the staff shortage there in the light of the security considerations involved.

Mr. K. Robinson

An average of 692. There are vacancies for 49 male and nine female nurses in a total complement of 370. Thanks to the skill and devotion of the staff, very high standards of security are maintained.

Mr. van Straubenzee

While quite understanding the Minister's difficulty in recruitment, does his Answer not show that the imposition of the 42-hour week last July has been largely nullified by the shortage of staff to implement it?

Mr. Robinson

No. The implementation of the 42-hour week has meant that the staff have been working one and a half hours a week less, in other words, the overtime has gone up by only half an hour following the reduction of hours by two hours.