§ 60. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the conclusions reached by the staff side of the Whitley Council dealing with the claim for £ 1 per week extra for student nurses.
§ Mr. CrossmanI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 14th May to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward).—[Vol. 783, c.232.]
§ 72. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will apply the system of charges for meals for nursing staff to doctors, executives, chairmen and members of hospital regional boards and management committees, and Ministers when having meals at hospitals on occasions of official visits.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe system of payment for meals as taken applies to doctors and administrative staff.
§ 73. Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations have been made to him regarding the supply of drinks for student nurses in hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe representations have been mainly that beverages for resident student nurses outside mealtimes should not have to be paid for as taken. The Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council agreed on 13th May that payment for such beverages should be regarded as covered by the existing annual lodging charge.
§ 74. Sir J. Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied that the pay and career opportunities for nurses enrolling in the National Health Service is comparable with the same career in the defence forces; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe conditions of service and the liabilities of nurses in the 3W forces differ in many respect from those in the National Health Service and I doubt if comparison would serve a useful purpose.