§ 6. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the 12½ per cent, pay award to the nurses; how many will be affected; what these awards will mean in cash awards to each stated category; and when he intends to implement these payments.
§ Sir K. JosephThe settlement reached by the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council covering about 330,000 nurses and midwives provides for an increase of 81 per cent. in basic pay and an increase in payment for night duty to time and a quarter. Both increases will operate from 1st April, 1971. Hours are to be reduced from 42 a week to 40 from 1st January, 1972. I will, if I may, circulate examples of the revised scales in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. LewisThe whole House will welcome both that the increase has been given and that the settlement has been accepted. Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm or deny Press reports that all the nurses living-in will lose some of the amount because the cost of their keep will be put up by as much as 50 per cent. of the award? Most hon. Members would regret that if it is the case.
§ Sir K. JosephI cannot comment on the hon. Gentleman's figure, which I should have thought was inaccurate. But certainly lodging charges and meal charges are going up at the same time. It is normal for the meal and lodging charges to be reviewed regularly, and, of course, costs have gone up.
§ Dr. SummerskillThen will the right hon. Gentleman admit that the salary increase is not nearly so impressive as it looks, and that not only nurses' cost of living but the general cost of living makes it a far from satisfactory position? Will he also bear in mind the unfair discrepancy 1167 between the salaries of agency nurses and of the rest of the nursing profession?
§ Sir K. JosephI was not presenting this as a generous award. I think that in all the circumstances it is a thoroughly reasonable one. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] After all, all earnings increases have to be seen against the price increases which have occurred in the relevant period.
§ Dame Irene WardAm I right in assuming that when the nurses want to make representations my right hon. Friend will always be willing to receive them and those who speak for them?
§ Sir K. JosephI can think of no group from whom I would more gladly receive representations.
§ Mr. PavittWhy the delay until January, 1972, before the award can be implemented? Does the decision preclude the possibility of danger money for those nurses in renal dialysis units and, therefore, subject to infective hepatitis?
§ Sir K. JosephThe second part of the hon. Gentleman's question should be the subject of a different Question. On the first part, the only thing being delayed until the beginning of next year is the reduction in hours. The employing authorities must be given time to organise themselves to allow the nurses fewer hours a week.
§ Following is the information:
| A. GENERAL HOSPITALS | ||
| Grade | Present Scales | New Scales |
| £ | £ | |
| Student Nurse: | ||
| Age 18 | 525 | 570 |
| Age 19 | 588 | 639 |
| Age 20 | 624 | 678 |
| Over 21: | ||
| First Year | 714 | 774 |
| Second Year | 744 | 807 |
| Third Year | 774 | 840 |
| Nursing Auxiliary (Adult) | 681–846 | 738–918 |
| Enrolled Nurse | 801–969 | 882–1,050 |
| Staff Nurse | 930–1,182 | 1,008–1,281 |
| Ward Sister | 1,200–1,554 | 1,302–1,686 |
| Chief Nursing Officer: | ||
| Grade 10(c) | 2,550–3,105 | 2,766–3,369 |
| Grade 10(b) | 2,814–3,414 | 3,054–3,705 |
| Grade 10(a) | 3,102–3,702 | 3,366–4,017 |
| Note: Nurses below the rank of Chief Nursing Officer in psychiatric hospitals and geriatric hospitals receive an additional "lead" of £99 per annum at all points. This was not changed by the present settlement. |
| B. LOCAL AUTHORITIES | ||
| Grade | Present Scales | New Scales |
| £ | £ | |
| District Nurse | 1,065–1,464 | 1,203–1,635 |
| District Midwife | 1,200–1,524 | 1,302–1,656 |
| Health Visitor | 1,245–1,599 | 1,350–1,734 |