§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the methods by which nurses' pay has been determined between 1974 and 1995 [17561]
§ Mr. MaloneFor the period 1974 to 1983 nurses' pay was negotiated between the sides of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley council. In July 1983 the independent Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine was set up to advise my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on remuneration. Since the review body was established all 12 reports have been accepted in full by the Government. Settlement levels over the period to 1994 increased by over 130 per cent. in a period when inflation rose by less than 69 per cent.