HC Deb 30 June 1969 vol 786 cc22-3
31. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the financial settlement agreed upon relating to additional payments for nurses consequent on the introduction of the pay-as-you-eat scheme ; and what representations he has received against the agreement.

Mr. Crossman

The Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council have agreed on the introduction of a special meal allowance of £48 a year for younger students and pupils, nursing auxiliaries and nursing assistants who are paying for their meals as taken. I have received no representations against the agreement.

Mr. Hamilton

Is my right hon. Friend saying that he has had no protests by the nurses on the ground that the allowance is taxable? Can he say what will be the net figure after the young nurse has paid tax, because it will be a minimal sum not adequate to meet her needs?

Mr. Crossman

I can only repeat what I have said. I thought that this was a satisfactory agreement. As for the matter of taxation, that question should be put to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Dame Irene Ward

Although the right hon. Gentleman has had no individual representations, does he not regard representations made in Parliament as proper representations, or does he ignore Parliament? Members of Parliament have made many representations. What action does the Secretary of State intend to take to make the scheme more realistic and human to meet the needs of the nurses?

Mr. Crossman

I always appreciate the vigour of the hon. Lady's representations or protests. What I said was that I had not had any representations from the nurses. I say in all seriousness that what the Whitley Council has achieved has satisfied the main grievance of student nurses. I am sure that the hon. Lady and I are agreed about that.

Sir G. Nabarro

Would the Secretary of State bear in mind that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has always specifically excluded from tax a luncheon voucher for a maximum of 3s. per diem for any person employed who is not a nurse? As this amounts to approximately 3s. per diem or £48 per annum, could not a similar tax-free provision be applied to student nurses?

Mr. Crossman

That again, I suggest, is a question which should be put to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.