§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average number of(a) holidays and (b) sickness days taken by nurses in each of the years 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1989.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe information requested is not available centrally.
Since 1974, the annual leave entitlement for qualified nurses has been five weeks a year. Unqualified nursing staff receive four weeks, with an additional two days after five years' service and a further three days after 10 years' service. Staff are also entitled to 10 paid public holidays. Prior to 1974, entitlements varied for different groups of staff and for some groups included public holidays.