§ 23. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Royal College of Nurses about circular HM71(12) relating to charges for residential accommodation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonNone, Sir.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonIs my hon. Friend aware that the circular has aroused considerable anger among nurses because of the unevenness of residential charges to nurses and medical staff? A senior nurse earning £2,880 is charged £485, whereas a consultant who may be earning more than £12,000 a year is charged only £420, and, when his accommodation does not 1159 come up to a general standard, he may be given an abatement. Are not these considerable discrepancies? Cannot my hon. Friend think of some means by which we can get more evenness into the accommodation charges for nurses and doctors?
§ Mr. AlisonIt is very difficult to make meaningful comparisons between the charges made to doctors and nurses, having regard to the differences between their terms and conditions of service.
§ Dr. SummerskillWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, even if he has received no representations, there is strong feeling about this among nurses and that they feel that what they were given with one hand in the form of an increase in pay has been taken away with the other?
§ Mr. AlisonI think the hon. Lady knows that the Royal College of Nursing is represented on the Nurses and Midwives' Whitley Council which has full responsibility for considering the appropriate charges.