§ 14. Major CHAPPLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the certificate of training presented in 405 evidence of qualification by London Hospital nurses applying for posts in the Army service states that the nurse has had three years' training in the hospital or only two years' training?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAs I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on Thursday last, steps are always taken to ascertain that a nurse has completed the necessary period of training and service in the wards.
§ Sir C. HENRYIs there any differentiation in the nurses that come from the London Hospital and from the others?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir.
§ Major CHAPPLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he told us that a three years' certificate of training is necessary for appointment to the Army Nursing Service, and I ask him in the present question, Does the London Hospital certificate of training say two years or three years?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot add anything to the answer I have given; but I would like to point out that the three years includes two years' training, and one year's service in the wards.
§ Major CHAPPLEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that he told us, in reply to a question on 18th July, that time spent in private nursing is not allowed to count towards the qualifying period of three years? Does he tell us now that two years' training is all that is necessary in the hospital, and that the time spent in private nursing makes up the period?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONCertainly; I am within the recollection of the House. My answer was, "We are satisfied in every case with the nurse who comes from the London Hospital or any other hospital if she has completed the necessary period of training, and service in the ward."
§ Major CHAPPLEMay I call the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to the previous reply; will he explain the discrepancy in the two replies?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman has explained.