§ 13. Miss Vickersasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation to what extent the services of his department are being used to further the training in the United Kingdom of nurses from Commonwealth countries.
§ Mr. VosperThe arrangements which have been in force for the past six years for direct contact between matrons of training hospitals in Britain and prospective nursing trainees from Commonwealth countries are continuing satisfactorily. My Department, in consultation with the High Commissions and students offices of the Commonwealth Governments in London, is able to give any additional help that may be required. There are now about 8,000 nursing students from the Commonwealth countries and dependent territories training in United Kingdom hospitals.
§ Miss VickersI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. From what countries are these nurses coming? Are the newly independent countries taking a special interest, as nurses are badly needed in those countries?
§ Mr. VosperIf my hon. Friend would care to table a Question I might be able to give her further information as to the break-up and distribution of the 8,000 student nurses. I have met quite a number of them. They come from a wide variety of countries, particularly the West Indies. In answer to the last part of her supplementary question, there are a large number of nurses from Ghana in this country at present.