§ 25. Mr. Gurdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the London weighting extra salary is to continue to be paid under the new salary scales for nurses.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyYes, Sir.
§ Mr. GurdenIf there is an accepted case for this London allowance, is there not also a case for other large cities where there is a high cost of living compared with rural areas?
§ Dr. DunwoodyI cannot accept that. The London weighting is payable to nonresident nursing staff. It reflects the higher 816 cost of housing and travelling in London. This matter has been agreed by the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council, which has seen fit to restrict this extra salary to the London area.