Nurses (Pay)

Oral Answers to Questions — Hospitals – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 30 July 1962.

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Photo of Mrs Barbara Castle Mrs Barbara Castle , Blackburn 12:00, 30 July 1962

asked the Minister of Health what reply he has sent to the letter sent to him by the Blackburn branch of the Confederation of Health Service Employees forwarding a petition signed by nearly 200 nurses employed in Blackburn hospitals on the subject of nurses' pay.

Photo of Mr Enoch Powell Mr Enoch Powell , Wolverhampton South West

I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Photo of Mrs Barbara Castle Mrs Barbara Castle , Blackburn

As the Government themselves now admit that their incomes policy has been very unfair to people like nurses, will the Minister give the House a firm assurance that the award of the Industrial Court, when it is announced, will be honoured by the Government both immediately and in full?

Photo of Mr Enoch Powell Mr Enoch Powell , Wolverhampton South West

That was given by my hon. Friend the then Financial Secretary in a debate earlier this Session.

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton

asked the Minister of Health what progress has now been made in the negotiations in the Whitley Council regarding the nurses' salary claim; and if he will make a statement.

Photo of Mr Enoch Powell Mr Enoch Powell , Wolverhampton South West

The claim has been referred to arbitration. I understand the hearing is on 20th August.

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton

When is the Report about this very important matter likely to be made, especially in view of the suspicion which still exists in the nursing profession?

Photo of Mr Enoch Powell Mr Enoch Powell , Wolverhampton South West

I understand that the awards are usually issued shortly after the hearing.

Photo of Mr Richard Marsh Mr Richard Marsh , Greenwich

In view of the public interest in this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the Government will accept the decision of the arbitration court?

Photo of Mr Enoch Powell Mr Enoch Powell , Wolverhampton South West

I do not think that the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Marsh) was in the House when I pointed out earlier that that undertaking had been given by the Government in debate earlier this Session.