Hospital Staff (Recruitment)

HC Deb 09 March 1966 vol 725 cc2098-9

41. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what restrictions are being placed on the recruitment of hospital staff.

Mrs. Hart

I am not aware of any general restrictions on recruitment.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Is the hon. Lady aware that her Department advised the North-East Hospital Board to restrict recruitment shortly before the end of the year? Does she consider this to be in the interests of hospital patients and in the interests of hospital services generally in the north-east of Scotland?

Mrs. Hart

The hon. Member must be in some confusion about this. We have placed no restriction on recruitment and until the present election period, when the campaign stopped, we have been trying our best to recruit more nurses. We have had a vigorous campaign going on, which has been remarkably successful, and the number of nurses is growing. But if the hon. Member has some information to give me, I shall be pleased to look at it, although I think he is confused.