§ 25. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health what is the present shortage of male and female nurses in mental hospitals; and, in view of increasing difficulties of recruitment, what action is being taken to meet the increasing gravity of the deficiency in this type of nursing.
§ Mr. CrookshankAbout 3,000 men and 8,000 women. Hospital management committees are being encouraged and assisted to conduct their own recruiting campaigns. My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour is continuing his predecessor's efforts to stimulate recruitment and is in consultation with his National Advisory Council on the whole problem.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the Minister catching up on the deficiency, or is the shortage greater now than it was some months ago? Is it likely to become still greater next year?
§ Mr. CrookshankI should like to see questions such as that, about figures, on the Order Paper.