HC Deb 03 April 1941 vol 370 c1156
34. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many hospital authorities refuse to employ fully qualified nurses, or to train probationers, who have been, or are, unmarried mothers; and, in view of the recent action of the General Nursing Council in removing the name of a nurse who was an unmarried mother from their register, whether he will take action to prevent unjust actions of this character?

Mr. E. Brown

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. With regard to the second part of the Question, an appeal lies to the High Court against a decision of the General Nursing Council to remove the name of a nurse from the register, and the matter is not one in which I have power to take any action.

Mr. Sorensen

Does not my right hon. Friend see that in many of these cases it is morally reprehensible to exclude these women on those grounds, and will he do what he can to discourage it?

Mr. Brown

That is a matter of opinion and conviction.

Dr. Edith Summerskill

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve of the removal of a nurse from the register because she has had an illegitimate child in a case where it has not been proved that she has been guilty of professional misconduct with a patient?

Mr. Brown

My hon. Friend is asking me to express an opinion upon what the court may or may not say about particular cases, and I must refuse to do that in the absence of any evidence about the cases.

Dr. Summerskill

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am asking him to express an opinion because the Ministry of Health is represented on the General Nursing Council?