§ Mr. Coombsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the cost in the current financial year of awarding appropriate incremental increases and annual pay awards to linkworkers on the asian mother and baby campaign;
(2) if he will offer the same entitlement to incremental increases and annual pay awards to linkworkers on the asian mother and baby campaign as are available to other workers in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe asian mother and baby campaign is a pilot project for two years in each of 10 selected areas. As the linkworkers have been employed on a fixed-term contract which makes no provision for increments or pay rises, there are no appropriate increases to apply to them. However, it has been decided to increase the rate of pay of linkworkers with effect from 1 December 1985 by approximately 4 ½ per cent.