§ 23 and 24. Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what complaints he has received with regard to the food served to the nurses of Robroyston Hospital; and if he is satisfied with the quality of this food;
(2) if he is aware of the feeding conditions endured by the nursing staff in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary; and if he is satisfied with these conditions.
§ Mr. WoodburnI cannot find that in either case any complaints have been made to the board of management concerned, who would be the appropriate authority to deal with them.
§ Sir T. MooreOh, that is not good enough. May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware—and if he is not, he should be, and therefore will he take steps to find out for himself—of the conditions and feeding arrangements of these hospitals, which are reported to me by nurses who have served in them to be most unsatisfactory? Surely that is not the way to encourage volunteers for nursing.
§ Mr. WoodburnThe nursing staff have as much responsibility for seeing that conditions are good as anybody else has under this service. Their first duty is to raise the complaint with their board of 1692 management. I should not think that the simplest way to get to the board of management was through a Member of Parliament.
§ Mrs. CullenMay I ask whether any complaint about conditions in Robroyston Hospital was made either to the superintendent or to the board of management, of which I am a member? I think it is presumptuous on the part of the hon. and gallant Member to interfere in this hospital.
§ Mr. CarmichaelMay I ask why the hon. and gallant Member is raising questions relating to conditions in North Lanarkshire?
§ Sir T. MooreI will explain. The nurses in question come from Ayr.
§ Mr. CarmichaelI want to know, because I was associated with that hospital for many years.
§ Mr. WoodburnPerhaps the fact that the question has been asked will bring it to the attention of the hospital that complaint is being made. I would respectfully say that these institutions are doing a great job, and I think it is a little unfair to make public attacks upon them unless they themselves have had an opportunity of looking at the matters in question.
§ Sir T. MooreOn a point of Order. May I have your protection, Mr. Speaker, against this charge? Am I not to fulfil my duties as a Member of Parliament by bringing to the notice of this House the complaints of my constituents?
§ Lieut-Colonel ElliotIn any case, Mr. Speaker, is this not an example of the difficulties which arise when these things are nationalised? It is not the only example.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersMay I ask the Secretary of State whether the conditions complained of are the same as in England, because I have had cases brought to my notice in which nurses are afraid of victimisation under nationalisation?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat seems like an announcement and not a question.