§ 57. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement concerning the correspondence from nurses about pay sent to him by the hon. Member for Cardiff, West.
§ Mr. PowellI cannot trace any such correspondence, apart from a letter which the hon. Member forwarded to me on 14th February, and which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary returned with a reply on 28th February.
§ 58. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Health what recent communication he has had from the Royal College of 84W Nursing concerning the relation of nurses' salaries to those of other professions; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. PowellI have received, and agreed to, a request to meet its representatives.
§ 59. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to get the Whitley Council to meet at an early date to consider the application for increases in wages made by the nurses and mid-wives in July last.
§ Mr. PowellIt has already met for this purpose.
§ 60. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health to what extent he proposes to continue to give guidance to the management side of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council after the cessation of the pay pause on 1st April.
§ Mr. PowellAs and when necessary.
§ 62. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health what further negotiations have taken place in the past two weeks in connection with the nurses' and mid-wives' salary claim; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PowellI understand that, at a meeting of the Whitley Council on 13th March, the Staff Side rejected the Management Side's offer.