§ Mrs. Braddock67, 68 and 69. asked the Minister of Health (1) if any decision has yet been arrived at by the Nurses and 60W Midwives Council on the 88-hour fortnight being accepted as the working hours for nurses employed in the hospital service;
(2) whether, when the reduced hours come into operation, mental nurses will be paid for overtime worked in excess of 88 hours per fortnight;
(3) whether, when reduced hours come into operation, part-time nurses will have their rates of pay based on one-eleventh of the basic full-time rates of pay as against the one-twelfth for each session of four hours as operates at present.
§ Mr. R. ThompsonThe Whitley Council has recommended that an 88-hour fortnight should be brought into national operation for nurses as soon as conditions permit having regard to the availability of staff and subject always to the requirements of the service. My right hon. and learned Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland have accepted this recommendation and will shortly be advising hospital authorities accordingly. The recommendation does not affect the rules governing the salaries of part-time nurses and the payment for excess hours worked by mental nurses.