§ 12. Mr. Bessellasked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce a scheme to raise the standard of pay for nursing staff employed in the National Health Service to make it equivalent to that received by nursing staff in Her Majesty's Armed Forces.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe pay of nursing staff in the National Health Service is a matter in the first instance for the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council.
§ Mr. BessellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable amount of work is put in every day and every week of the year by the nursing staffs of nursing mental homes and hospitals throughout the country, and also that certain risks are undertaken by them? Does not he consider that the present position is inequitable?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am aware of the work that is done. If the hon. Member is referring to the present position in relation to the Armed Forces, I must point out that the conditions of service in the Armed Forces are quite different from those in the National Health Service. For example, nurses in the Armed Forces generally have to sign on for a definite period of service, from two to eight years, during which time they are subject to military law and may be posted anywhere here or overseas.
§ Dr. GrayIn view of what has been done for doctors, should not something quickly be done for nurses, too?
§ Mr. RobinsonI would remind my hon. Friend that nurses had a quite substantial pay rise as from 1st July last.
§ Mr. William HamiltonIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that even with the increases the nurses received they are little more than slave labour at the moment? Will he intervene and take urgent action in order to see that they are not exploited in future as they are at the moment?
§ Mr. RobinsonI cannot agree that the nursing service is equivalent to slave labour.