§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what salary is presently paid, and will be offered in the next pay round to(a) a senior nurse sixth grade and (b) clinical midwives on grade 1; and what are the reasons for the difference;
(2) what factors account for the delay in making an offer of a new pay and grading structure for midwifery managers;
(3) when he will make an offer of a new pay and grading structure for midwifery managers; and when he expects to reach agreement with the staff side.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Government take decisions on pay levels for midwives in the light of recommendations from the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives and Health Visitors and the Professions Allied to Medicine. Pay structures are a matter for negotiation in the nursing and midwifery staffs negotiating council.
The basic pay for a nurse or midwife on grade I from 1 April 1990 is £16,990 to £19,240—from 1 January 1991 £17,305 to £19,600. The existing senior nurse/midwife structure has been under review by the negotiating council, which reached agreement last month on a new structure, to come into effect from 1 January 1991. The review body is expected shortly to make recommendations on the pay of staff in the senior nurse 6 grade with effect from 1 April 1990, and on the pay levels to be attached to the new structure from 1 January 1991.