§ 61. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the basic grade rates of wages paid 58W to nurses employed under the National Health Service; and what percentage increases they have received during each of the past four years.
§ Mr. AlisonThe basic scales for nurses in general hospitals are:
Enrolled Nurse £954–£1,134 Staff Nurse £1,089–£1,383 Ward Sister £1,407–£1,821 Nurses in psychiatric and geriatric hospitals receive an additional £99 per annum. Increases in the basic scales during the past four years were as follows:
January, 1969–5 per cent. with 10 per cent. for certain grades.
April, 1970–20 per cent.
April, 1971–8½ per cent.
April, 1972–8½ per cent. with a minimum increase of £72 to all nurses on adult rates.
In addition a number of changes have been made to allowances and conditions of service adding significantly to the wages bill; thus for example the total value of the 1971 settlement was 12½ per cent.
§ 62. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many agency nurses are being employed by the National Health Service on the latest available date; and how this figure compares with the numbers employed on the preceding 12 months' date.
§ Mr. Alison2,992 in National Health Service hospitals at 30th September, 1971, compared with 2,705 at 30th September, 1970.