§ 56. Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the increased charges for food in hospital canteens, he will review the pay scales of student nurses.
§ Mr. CrossmanStudent nurses' training allowances were increased from 1st January, 1969, as part of a general agreement of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council on pay and conditions of service, and any review would be a matter for the Council.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that student nurses having meals in hospitals have to pay up to £3 a week, that the allowance payable will only be £1 18s. per week, and that this represents a reduction in their pay; what representations he has received; what reply he has sent; and if he will review the position immediately.
§ Mr. CrossmanIn accordance with the advice of the National Board for Prices and Incomes (Report No. 60), the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council have agreed that, where practicable, resident student nurses should be able to pay for their meals as they take them instead of paying a fixed annual charge; and that £106 should be deducted from the fixed charge for board and lodging to take account of this change. The agreement was part of a general settlement on pay and conditions of service, and any review would be a matter for the Council. The amount of the reduction in the fixed charge was based on the advice of the Board that a realistics price for the meals actually taken by a student nurse in a hospital in the course of a normal year would be about £100. The representations received have generally been based on misunderstandings and the replies to them have sought to clear these up.