§ 17. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Bolsover, Official Report, 26 October, column 266, if he will ensure that the cash allocation to the National Health Service which forms the basis of nurses' pay is increased by not less than the rate of inflation as calculated by the tax and price index in order to provide for a settlement at that level.
§ Dr. VaughanDecisions on public expenditure next year have not yet been taken. I cannot therefore say anything further at this stage.
§ 39. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress he has now made in his discussions with both sides of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council on a new method of determining nurses pay in the future.
§ Dr. VaughanI have already had separate meetings with both the staff side and management side of the Whitley council. I have now invited representatives of both sides to join me in further discussions to enable progress to be made.