§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of hours per week worked normally by male mental nurses in Scotland; what additional payment is made for overtime, week-end and night duty; what provision is made where injury results from an attack by a patient; and what alterations in conditions of employment of male mental nurses are contemplated.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe normal working hours of mental nurses are ninety-six per fortnight. Nursing staff, up to and including ward sisters and charge nurses, receive overtime payments at plain time156W rates. Weekend and night duties, an essential feature of nursing, do not attract additional payments. Injury arising out of employment is covered by the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts and by nurses' sick pay conditions. The conditions of service of mental nurses are matters for the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council, which at present has them under review.