§ Mr. Bullasked the Minister of Health how many public authorities have introduced the 48-hour week for nurses; and whether the London County Council introduced on 1st July its promised 48-hour week with other advantages?
§ Mr. ElliotI have no complete information as to the number of local authorities which have introduced a 48-hour week for nurses. I am informed that the London County Council decided on 18th May last that as from the 1st July a 96-hour fortnight should be substituted for the existing hours of work. The scheme has been put into operation at a number of hospitals, but it has not yet been possible to recruit the numbers of staff necessary to put it into full operation.