§ 8. Mr. AYLESasked the Minister of Pensions the number of unqualified nurses at present employed in the mental hospitals under his control: and whether he will take an early opportunity to see that only certificated male nurses are employed in State institutions?
Mr. ROBERTSThe male nursing staff employed in institutions dealing with cases of mental and severe nervous disorder is required, to the utmost extent possible, to be qualified by experience in the handling of such cases, and 25 out of the 62 male nurses employed in nursing certified cases have the additional qualification of a certificate. With regard to the second part of the question, I 594 understand that the Board of Control have not found it practicable or desirable to advise in public mental hospitals the standard suggested by my hon. Friend.