§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Royal College of Nursing and individual nurses regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations; and if he will examine possible alternatives to this system for negotiating nurses' pay.
§ Mr. John MorrisI have received no specific representations regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations. Negotiations about pay are the responsibility of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council and it is for that body to consider whether any alterations in the method of negotiation are necessary. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and I are considering a request for an independent inquiry into nurses' pay.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he is prepared to meet a deputation from the Royal College of Nursing to discuss their grievances regarding the way in which their pay is fixed, and the way conditions, prospects and recruitment to the nursing profession are examined; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received from the Royal College of Nursing regarding the declining morale in the nursing profession; what steps he intends taking to improve morale; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State received on 20th May a deputation from the Welsh Board of the Royal College of Nursing. I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services what action can be taken to alleviate the situation.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what central guidance on methods of stimulating recruitment of nurses he is now considering.
160W
§ Mr. John MorrisMy Department is continuing to provide support to the recruitment activities of the NHS employing authorities by publicity campaigns in the national Press and cinemas, production of posters, brochures and films and provision of exhibition material.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the comparative cost per hour, per eight hours, per normal working week, per weekend, for employing National Health Service and agency nurses, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisComprehensive information is not available in the form requested.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales, in view of the shortage of nurses, what central guidance on methods of bringing nurses back into the National Health Service from service with private agencies he will give to area health authorities in Wales.
§ Mr. John MorrisNurses choose agency work for a variety of reasons. I am considering with my right hon. Friend how and to what extent these might be met by direct employment in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the proportion of employment time of agency-employed nurses as distinct from National Health Service nurses for the following years: 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973; if he intends taking any action to change this trend; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisOnly three agency nurses are now working in Welsh National Health Service hospitals compared with 17,358 employees of the health authorities. Figures for earlier years are not available but I have no reason to believe that in any of the years in question employment time of such nurses compared with that of National Health Service nurses was any more than minimal.