§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received from the Royal College of Nursing and individual nurses regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations; and if he will examine possible alternatives to this system for negotiating nurses' pay;
(2)if he is prepared to meet a deputation from the Royal College of Nursing to discuss their grievances regarding the way in which their pay is fixed, and the way pay, conditions, prospects and recruitment to the nursing profession are examined; and if he will make a statement.
(3)what representations he has received from the Royal College of Nursing regarding the declining morale in the nursing profession; what steps he intends taking to improve morale; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State saw a deputation from the Royal College of Nursing (Scottish Board) on 17th May when matters relating to the level of pay, working conditions, morale, recruitment and152W the method of negotiating pay were raised. He gave the deputation an assurance that the points raised at the meeting would be reported to me and to the Prime Minister; and this he did.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what central guidance on methods of stimulating recruitment of nurses he is now considering.
§ Mr. William RossI propose to continue and extend the existing general advertisement campaign in the Press and to make available further copies of my Department's recruitment film to meet the demand from schools. During recent years assistance with publicity material and visual aids has been given to health authorities in promoting local campaigns and exhibitions. Health boards are considering further means of stimulating publicity measures for local recruitment.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the comparative cost per hour, per eight hours, per normal working week, per weekend, for employing National Health Service and agency nurses, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossComprehensive information is not available in the form requested.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the shortage of nurses, what central guidance of method of bringing nurses back into the National Health Service as distinct from service with private agencies he will give to area health authorities.
§ Mr. William RossMethods of attracting nurses back to the National Health Service are discussed at regular meetings between my Department's Chief Nursing Officer and chief area nursing officers of health boards. Very few agency nurses are employed in Scotland.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the proportion of employment time of agency employed nurses, as distinct from National Health Service nurses, for the following years: 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, and 1973; if he intends taking any action to change this possible trend; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. William RossInformation is not available for the years in question. The number of agency nurses employed in the National Health Service in Scotland is small and their employment, especially in the more remote areas, can be useful to cover occasional absences due to sickness, holidays, etc.