HC Deb 02 April 1968 vol 762 cc172-3
Q3. Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to transfer the responsibility for nurses' education from the Ministry of Health to the Department of Education and Science.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir, on balance I think that the present arrangement is to be preferred.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken steps to inquire what are the views of those engaged upon the instruction of nurses? Is it not their view that this change should be made?

The Prime Minister

There are a number of views, and there was a report in 1964. The view predominantly held, certainly by my right hon. Friends and myself, is that since much of the practical training of the nurses is in hospitals, together with theoretical training in the associated nurse training schools, it would not make for efficiency to separate the training of nurses from the actual running of the hospitals.