HC Deb 09 February 1982 vol 17 c335W
30. Mr. Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much nurses' average salaries, and the number of nurses, have increased since the Government took office.

Dr. Vaughan

I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Woolwich, West (Mr. Bottomley) and Wokingham (Sir W. van Straubenzee) and to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) earlier today.

Between March 1979 and March 1981 the numbers of qualified nursing and midwifery staff employed in the National Health Service in England increased by about 21,000 in terms of whole-time equivalents. Some of this increase reflects a reduction in nurses and midwives working hours from 40 per week in 1979 to 37½ per week in 1981

33. Mr. Lofthouse

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he has had about the analogues to he used for assessing nursing pay.

34. Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet determined the analogues to be used in assessing the correct pay for nurses.

42. Mr. Sever

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the proposed analogues to be used for establishing nurses pay.

52. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on discussions about methods of settling longer term pay arrangements for nurses.

64. Mr. Whitlock

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on progress in settling longer term arrangements for nurses pay.

69. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will accept the recommendation of the Royal College of Nursing to link nurses pay to that of the average male non-manual employee.

Mr. Fowler

I refer the hon. Members and the right hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Sir W. van Straubenzee) and to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) earlier today.