§ 33. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health approximately how many girls of 16 years of age and under have been engaged for nursing duties by public authorities; and what advice regarding the employment of young girls for this purpose has been given to public authorities responsible for hospitals and similar institutions.
§ Mr. J. EdwardsFigures are not available, but the practice is not widespread. The Athlone Committee recommended that no girl under 17 should be employed in hospital wards. The Committee's Report was brought to the attention of local authorities.
§ Mr. SorensenIs my hon. Friend aware that in some areas quite a number of these young girls under 16 years of age are employed by public authorities, and can he do nothing to see that they are not given unsuitable or too hard jobs?
§ Mr. EdwardsI deprecate the practice, and the Minister's view has been brought to the notice of local authorities.
Mrs. ManningMy hon. Friend says that he has not got the figures. Would he mind trying to obtain them, because he would find that the practice is widespread in these days, when it is difficult to get nurses? These girls ought not to be seeing the unsuitable and distressing sights to which some of them are subjected.
§ Mr. Hector HughesCan the Parliamentary Secretary say whether these young 581 girls are given any training to fit them to become qualified nurses, or are they simply in blind-alley jobs?
§ Mr. EdwardsThat is an entirely different question. The point is that it is not desirable for girls of this age to be employed in hospitals.