HC Deb 24 November 1981 vol 13 cc746-7
13. Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services for what measures in the Gracious Speech he will have departmental responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Fowler

The Gracious Speech said that there would be a Bill to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme and a housing benefit scheme, and another to make reforms in the law on mental health in England and Wales. My Department has responsibility for those Bills, both of which are now before Parliament.

Mr. Canavan

Will the Secretary of State give us an assurance that the reference in the Queen's Speech to further reductions in wage settlements does not mean that his Department will try to force a 4 per cent. wage settlement on the nurses? Does he realise that it would be sheer exploitation of one of the most dedicated professions to try to force on it such a settlement, which would be a wage reduction in real terms because of the high rate of inflation created by the failed policies of this discredited Tory Government?

Mr. Fowler

I share the admiration of the House for the nursing profession. Under this Government the wages and salaries of nurses have increased substantially. I expect to see representatives of the nursing profession shortly to talk about those matters.

Mr. Mike Thomas

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking, with regard to his Department's responsibility for implementing the economic aspects of the Queen's Speech, that he is not considering a real cut in the value of supplementary benefit payments, on which the 2 million poorest families in this country depend?

Mr. Fowler

The decisions will be announced in due course. I ask the hon. Gentleman to wait for them.

Mr. McCrindle

As there are growing signs that the problem of those who leave employment to go to another private firm and who lose their occupational pension rights is becoming acute, does my right hon. Friend see any reason to add to the commendable list of Bills for which he is responsible, a Bill dealing with this matter?

Mr. Fowler

As my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House is here, I can tell my hon. Friend that I cannot promise to introduce legislation this year on that subject, but I am aware of the problem, as are the Government. I shall certainly consider it.