§ 2. Mrs. Knightasked the Minister of Health if he will give an assurance that no hardship to patients will result from the recent cuts in staff establishments at general hospitals.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonHospital authorities determine their own staffing needs and I do not know what cuts the hon. Member has in mind.
§ Mrs. KnightWill the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is a matter for concern that staff cuts have been made at this time in general hospitals? If he 1236 does not know, I will gladly give him the details, but would he agree that to carry out such cuts at this time must result in a lowering of standards?
§ Mr. RobinsonI would not necessarily accept the last part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question, but I will look into any particular instance which she has in mind. I can tell the hon. Lady that the latest available figures show that the total number of nursing and midwifery staff of all grades employed in our hospitals continues to rise.