HC Deb 10 November 1970 vol 806 c195
41. Mr. Boyden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what new measures he is proposing to recruit more nurses to the hospital service.

Sir K. Joseph

Recruitment is primarily a matter for individual hospital authorities. I have no new measures to announce at present in support of their activities.

Mr. Boyden

That is a very complacent Answer. In view of the consider able progress made under the Labour Administration in recruiting nurses and improving their conditions, will the Secretary of State give special attention to geographical areas where it is difficult to recruit the full complement and to medical fields like mental nursing for which it is also difficult to recruit?

Sir K. Joseph

Yes, Sir.

Dr. Summerskill

Would the right hon. Gentleman act on the report of Professor Briggs' Committee as soon as it is available because there is strong feeling among nurses and potential nurses about education, training and conditions of work which must be affecting recruitment?

Sir K. Joseph

I wish that the Committee had been set up earlier. It will be some time before the report is available, and I cannot commit the Government in advance.