HC Deb 08 December 1980 vol 995 cc265-6W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Social services whether he will take steps to link any further

Hospital cleaners Staff nurses Ward sisters
£s. d. Hours £s. d. Hours £ s. d. Hours
1950 4 1 0 48 8 6 9 48 9 19 4 48
1960 6 13 3 44 12 11 7 44 16 2 2 44
1970 10 13 0 40 23 15 8 42 31 14 0 42
1980 £54.45 40 £98.17 37½ £130.55 37½

Payments for working 60 hours per week—which would be most exceptional—for any of the grades concerned would depend on the circumstances in which excess hours were worked; For example, whether time off was subsequently allowed in lieu of the excess hours or whether additional payments related to extra hours worked at nights or week-ends or on public holidays.

uprating of benefits statutorily linked to the retail price index to an index excluding the effects of taxation on the price of alcohol or tobacco products.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

For the purpose of the statutory uprating of benefits, the law provides that I shall determine the general level of prices as I think fit. Whilst I appreciate the intention behind my hon. Friend's question, I have no proposals to depart from the use of the general index of retail prices for this purpose.