§ 33. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that increasing numbers of trained nurses are emigrating to Canada and the United States of America; and what steps he intends to take to reverse this trend.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneMy right hon. Friend has no information which suggests that there has been any marked upward trend in the number of nurses emigrating to Canada and the United States in recent years and he does not consider that any special steps are called for.
§ Mr. HamiltonIf the hon. Gentleman has not the figures in his possession, will he take the trouble to obtain them? That is what he is paid for. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Royal College of Nursing has said that this is happening? If it is happening in the length and breadth of Britain, obviously it must be happening to some extent in Scotland. Further, is he aware that in West Fife in particular there is a shortage of nurses and the regional hospital board is preventing hospital authorities from advertising for nurses in the local Press? What kind of crazy system is this?
§ Mr. BrowneThe hon. Gentleman must believe that it is possible that he is not right. The total number of trained nurses in Scotland has increased steadily over the last ten years. There may be local difficulties, but there is no overall shortage.
§ Mr. HamiltonWill the hon. Gentleman look into the specific complaint about the refusal of the regional board to give permission to local hospital authorities to advertise in the local Press?
§ Mr. BrowneYes, but that does not arise out of the Question.