§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the average percentage cut in real wages for nurses if their pay rise is limited to 4 per cent. as proposed, in the light of the most recent estimate of cost of living rises for the current and the coming year.
§ Dr. Vaughan:In announcing the pay factor of 4 per cent. for the public sector the Government accepted that this would not fully compensate for price increases during the year. The extent of the shortfall for any particular group, such as nurses, will depend on the detail of their settlement and the precise period over which one calculates changes in the cost of living.