§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much a staff nurse is paid in her first year of training and her first year after qualification.
§ Mr. MeacherI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 30th July,—[Vol. 896, c.547–8.]
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to improve conditions and pay for nurses and to insure recruitment of staff.
§ Mr. MeacherNurses received substantially improved rates of pay and conditions of services in 1974 following the Halsbury Committee of Inquiry, and pay increases again in April this year. Further improvements for the present must be against the background of the Government's counter-inflation policy. The Department continues to provide support for the health authorities' recruitment activities with publicity campaigns in the national Press, and I understand that generally there is no lack of applicants for places in the schools of nursing.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many student nurses are currently undergoing training in National Health Service hospitals.
§ Mr. Meacher52,049 in England at 30th September 1974.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present number of staff nurses employed in National Health Service hospitals.
§ Mr. Meacher28,528 in whole-time equivalents in England at 30th September 1974, the latest date for which figures are available.