§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Health if the Government have now received the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the pay of nurses and midwives in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonYes. The Report is being published today. The Board were asked to examine pay structure, levels of remuneration and conditions of service. Nurses' and midwives' last pay increase took effect from 1st July, 1965 and the Board now recommend a general increase of 9 per cent., a further 5 per cent. for certain grades and a number of other improvements. These recommendations would be for implementation in stages, beginning with a 4 per cent. increase from 1st October, 1967, the final stage of the percentage increases not taking effect until 1st January, 1969. The settlement as a whole would last until 31st March, 1970. The Report also makes a number of important recommendations on training and management.
The Report makes it clear that its recommendations are designed to develop a new salary structure as an incentive to improved performance and that the Board attach considerable importance to this in the interests of economic efficiency. The 335W Government accept that a restructuring is necessary, and that the pay increases required are therefore consistent with incomes policy. Those recommendations on pay and conditions of service which fall within its province will now be the subject of negotiations in the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council. The Council will need to pay special attention to the proposed lead for geriatric nurses, which may pose practical difficulties.
The other recommendations including those on training and management will need to be considered in consultation with all the interested parties and in the light of available resources of finance and manpower.