asked the Minister for Health when he will be in the position to sanction the arbitration award for clinical teachers and nurse tutors in voluntary and health board hospitals.

The arbitrator's award for clinical teachers and nurse tutors represents a special increase in each case and must, therefore, be considered in the context of the Government's pay policy for public sector employees and the constraints imposed by the present serious financial and economic difficulties. The whole question of arbitration awards involving special increases for public sector employees is being examined by the Government at the present time in the context of the general pay situation.

Questions Nos. 12 and 13 postponed.