§ 52. Mr. MadelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of nurses and midwives who have accepted the current pay offer; what percentage of the total number of nurses and midwives employed by the National Health Service this represents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Government's decision to implement in full the recommendations for 1988–89 of the review body for nursing staff, midwives and health visitors was accepted in April by the representatives of all nursing staff, midwives and health visitors within the National Health Service. The acceptance was very prompt, which is not surprising given that this year's pay award and regrading have resulted in an average increase of 17.9 per cent. for nurses and midwives. We do not know how many nurses and midwives are still appealing against the grade that they were given in the light of that acceptance, but the vast majority have accepted their grade and all nurses and midwives have received their pay rise.