16. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Health whether, with a view to encouraging highly-trained nurses who emanate from the recognised teaching medical schools, he will take steps to eliminate, as far as possible, the unqualified but titled people who are hampering the development of this work in many parts of the country, since highly-trained women will follow best an equally highly-trained matron from a teaching school of known repute?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI am not aware of any hospital, whether in the emergency scheme or not, where trained nurses do not work under the control of a matron who is herself a trained nurse. Perhaps my hon. Friend will send me further particulars of the difficulty which he has in mind.
Mr. De la BèreDoes my right hon. Friend realise that there are many cases where they have neither the ability nor 637 the mind to organise properly and that the same thing is happening in this war as in the last war? Perhaps he will kindly go into this matter with me afterwards.
Mr. MacDonaldIf the hon. Member has any information which he thinks I Ought to have, I shall be glad to receive it, but the position, I am advised, is as stated in the answer to the Question.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonMay I ask that nurses do not remain grossly underpaid?
Miss RathboneIs it not a case that the supply of highly-trained nurses and matrons is running short, and that it is highly desirable to bring in capable women, whether they are titled or not, to help in the administrative work?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat does not arise out of the Question.