§ Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Minister of Health whether the recommendations of the Rushcliffe Report of a 96-hour fortnight for the general body of nurses have been adopted by voluntary and municipal hospitals in this country as a statutory obligation; and whether these hours are inclusive of time off for meals?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe Nurses Salaries Committee recommended that a 96-hour fortnight should be brought into national operation as soon as circumstances permit, at a date to be determined by me, having regard to the availability of staff and subject to the requirements of the service. I could not say that the supply of nurses at the present time is sufficient to enable a 96-hour fortnight to be worked at all hospitals. The Committee make no reference to time spent at meals, but the interdepartmental committee 1089W under the chairmanship of Lord Athlone, to whose recommendations the Rushcliffe Committee draw attention, said that the 96-hour fortnight was meant to be exclusive of time spent at meals.