§ Mrs. Hardieasked the Secretary of. State for Scotland whether he has yet 1467W received a report from the committee appointed to inquire into nurses' salaries in Scotland; and whether it will be presented to the House?
Mr. JohnstonYes, Sir. I have received from Professor Taylor an interim Report by the Committee which has been sitting under his chairmanship on the salaries, emoluments and other conditions of nurses. The main part of the Report deals with nurses in general hospitals. The Report is being presented as a White Paper and copies will be available to-day in the Vote Office. I am communicating with local authorities and voluntary hospitals commending the recommendations and with the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer I am informing them that the Government are prepared to pay both to local authorities and to voluntary hospitals 50 per cent. of any increased expenditure in which they may be involved in giving effect to the recommendations relating to nurses in hospitals. The Report also makes recommendations regarding the salaries of midwives, health visitors and district nurses. The Committee has not yet concluded its negotiations on the salaries of nurses in certain other hospitals, for example, fever, sick children's and tuberculosis hospitals, but I hope Jo receive recommendations for these hospitals at an early date.