§ 59. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Labour if he has been or will be in contact with the Secretary of State for the Colonies with a view to securing a larger number of suitable girls from African and other Colonies to train as nurses in British hospitals; and approximately how many Colonial young women are now training or acting as nurses in British hospitals.
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir, there is now in existence an organised scheme to help the Colonies to obtain the trained nurses they need by providing facilities in hospitals,in this country for the training of suitable Colonial students. At 31st December last, 128 women from the Colonies were known to be in training or acting as nurses in hospitals in this country.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the Minister say whether there are lists of these applicants and what is being done to encourage these girls to apply? Can he assure the country that a large number of these girls are coming over?
§ Mr. IsaacsIt should be made clear that this training is mainly for the purpose of these women going back to their own countries to be of service there, but if we can develop and extend the scheme in any way to meet the urgent need of this country, we will gladly do so.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartCan the Minister give an assurance that in all cases where these girls come to this country they will be properly cared for when they arrive here, which is not the experience of some of these girls in the past?
§ Mr. IsaacsIf the hon. Gentleman can submit any information he has about lack of attention, we will gladly look into it.