HC Deb 24 February 1975 vol 887 c29W
40. Miss Fookes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied that the work undertaken by nursery nurses is sufficiently recognised in terms of status, remuneration and conditions of service.

Mr. Alec Jones

Responsibility for pay and conditions of service for local authority nursery staff was taken over by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Administrative, Professional Technical and Clerical Services on 1st January 1973. The council is independent of the Government and comprises representatives of staff interests and employing authorities. I understand that it recognised a need to bring salary scales for nursery staff into line with those for other comparable local authority staff, and the salary award made from July 1974 meant that, over the 15 months up to that date, basic grade staff received increases ranging from 36 per cent. to 64 per cent. The council is examining further steps needed to bring conditions of service for nursery staff into line with those for other comparable staff.