HC Deb 14 May 1969 vol 783 cc1417-9
Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order. I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a matter of specific and urgent public importance, namely, the breakdown of the National Whitley Council negotiations on nurses' pay and conditions of service. This, of course, is a matter which is specific, so I need not deal with that aspect. It is of great importance, both to the nurses and hospital services throughout the country, that there shall not be any further delay in arriving at a satisfactory solution to the claim which has been put forward by the staff side. It is a matter of tremendous importance.

The House will remember that not long ago the Secretary of State for Social Services received on the steps of the Elephant and Castle one of the more militant sections of the nursing profession on the question of nurses' pay and conditions. He also told the House on Monday of this week that he had great sympathy with the student nurses, from which the House accepted the view that there would be a satisfactory solution arising out of the new National Whitley Council negotiations.

I remind the House that the management side takes its instructions from the Minister. If the Minister can both meet the more militant section of the nursing profession and express sympathy with the student nurses, a sentiment with which we all agree, it is about time that Parliament had the right to say what it thinks about the matter. That is why I am seeking to move the Adjournment of the House—so that Parliament may express its view. The Minister would then be able to instruct the management side of the Whitley Council on the views of the House about this great problem.

I hope that, now that I have put these matters as clearly and as concisely as I could, the House will agree that it is time it had a chance to state its own views and that matters of wide importance throughout the British Isles should not be left to a Minister who then instructs the management side not to meet the requirements of the staff side. I want to get to the bottom of this affair. I am tired of being dictated to by a Minister. I should like Parliament to take its own decisions on this matter.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Lady the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that she thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the breakdown of the Whitley Council negotiations on nurses' pay and conditions of service". As the House knows, under the revised Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order, but to give no reason for my decision. I have listened very carefully to the representations made by the hon. Lady, but I have to rule that her submission does not fall within the provisions of the revised Standing Order and that, therefore, I cannot submit her application to the House.

Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order. You, Mr. Speaker, have always been gracious enough, on every application of this kind, to say that notice had been given to you. I should not like it to go on record that I, too, had not given you notice that I wished to raise this matter.

Mr. Speaker

I apologise to the hon. Lady, who was indeed courteous enough to give me notice.

I would remind the House that under the Standing Order notice should be given to Mr. Speaker, if possible, by 12 o'clock. It is most difficult for Mr. Speaker to deal with a Standing Order application if it comes suddenly during the afternoon. Therefore, normally, if hon. Members can give sufficient notice, it is of great convenience to Mr. Speaker, who then has time to consider the issue before he comes into the Chamber.

I am extremely grateful to the hon. Lady, and I am sorry that I neglected to say so.