asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will give a substantive reply to the joint management/staff-side paper sent to him by the Whitley Council in September 1978 regarding a special compensatory payment in lieu of a productivity deal for nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mrs. Jeger) on 19 January.