§ 2.54 p.m.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will give an assurance that the controversy which has arisen over the appointment of members of the Royal College of Nursing, a professional association, to hospital and health committees will not result in any change in the appointments already made.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, no change has been made in the rights of nursing and other Health Service staff to appoint representatives to the joint staff consultative committees from nationally recognised staff organisations, including the Royal College of Nursing. Nor has any change been made in the status of such representatives already appointed.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I am very grateful for that Answer, which I think will give great satisfaction to those who are interested. I hope the noble Lord will convey to all concerned what a very wise decision he has stated in his Answer to my Question today.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, it is a great pleasure to me to be able to give a satisfactory Answer to the noble Baroness.