§ Mr. O'Halloran asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the "Nurses are Worth More" campaign; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. Vaughan:I have received a copy of the letter which I understand the Nursing Mirror is urging its readers to send to hon. Members. Nurses have received very substantial pay increases since this Government took office and we have financed a reduction in their working week from 40 to 37½ hours. Nevertheless, problems remain and in August 1980 we wrote to both sides of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council with suggestions for a better method of determining nurses' pay in the longer term. The Staff Side responded in August last and currently Ministers are consulting both sides about finding a way forward. It would not, however, be possible for any new arrangements which may emerge to operate in time for the 1982 settlement.
Mr. Skinner asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will recommend to the Nurses' and Midwives' Whitley Council that the nurses receive a wage increase not less than the rate of inflation as calculated by the Government's tax and prices index; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. Vaughan:No. It will be for the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council to negotiate its next pay settlement in the light of the cash allocation for the NHS for 1982–83 when this has been announced.