HC Deb 15 November 1989 vol 160 c360W
69. Mr. Gerald Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many nurses there were in Scotland in 1979; what was their average salary; and what were the comparable figures for the most recent period.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

At April 1979 there were 65,439 nursing staff in the National Health Service in Scotland and average earnings including allowances were £67.80 per week. At April 1989 staff numbered 74,829, an increase of 9,390, and average earnings were £220.00 per week. The increase in real terms in basic pay over the period was 43 per cent.