§ Mrs. Ridealghasked the Minister of Defence whether he can make an announcement regarding the pay and other conditions of service for the nursing services of the Armed Forces in view of the revision early this year of the salary scales of certain grades of civil nurses.
§ Mr. Alexander1. On 1st February, 1949, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps was constituted as a Corps of the Army under the Army and Air Force (Women's Service) Act, 1948; Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service will similarly be incorporated in the Royal Air Force. On the same date increased rates of pay were granted to the lower grades of civil nurses. For both these reasons it was necessary to review the pay and other conditions of service of the Nursing Services of the Armed Forces, including Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service, and it was decided some time ago that in principle they should be assimilated as closely as possible to those of the other Women's Services. The following detailed arrangement gives effect to this decision.
53W2. The rates of pay, effective from 1st February, 1949, are as follows:
Daily s. d. Nursing Sister, Subaltern, Flying Officer: On appointment 12 9 After 2 years as such 13 9 After 3 years as such 14 9 After 4 years as such 15 9 Senior Nursing Sister, Junior Commander, Flight Officer 17 3 After 2 years as such 18 9 After 4 years as such 20 3 After 6 years as such 21 9 Superintending Sister/Matron, Senior Commander, Squadron Officer 26 3 After 2 years as such 27 9 After 4 years as such 29 3 After 6 years as such 30 9 Principal Matron, Chief Commander, Wing Officer 35 6 After 2 years as such 37 6 After 4 years as such 39 6 After 6 years as such 41 6 After 8 years as such 43 6 Controller, Group Officer 48 9 After 2 years as such 51 0 After 4 years as such 53 3 After 6 years as such 55 6 Matron-in-Chief, Senior Controller, Air Commandant 57 9 3. Specialist Pay will be issued in addition to nursing officers with special qualifications, while actually employed in certain specified appointments.
4. Nurses will enter the Service with the rank of:
Royal Navy … Nursing Sister Army … Subaltern Royal Air Force … Flying Officer 5. Entry will be by short service engagements or commissions for four years, extensible to six years. Selection for transfer to the permanent list will be made after two years' service.
6. Promotion will be as follows:
After 6 years' approved service: Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Senior Nursing Sister Junior Commander Flight Officer After 14 years' approved service: Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Superintending Sister/Matron Senior Commander Squadron Officer Thereafter, promotion will be by selection to fill establishment vacancies.
7. Certain post-qualification civilian service will be accepted as approved service for the purpose of increments of pay and time promotion.
54W8. The rates of Service Retired Pay and gratuities for permanent nursing officers are to be the same as for officers of the other Women's Services.