§ 41. Mr. FlanneryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to discuss conditions of service with representatives of the midwives.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNegotiations over the terms and conditions of nurses' and midwives' employment are a matter for the relevant Whitley council. However, I met representatives of the Royal College of Midwives on 7 December and had a friendly and useful discussion about a range of issues, including the new grading structure and the appeals process.
§ 72. Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what account was taken of clinical experience when setting the grades of midwives; and what representations he has received from Merseyside midwives concerning their regrading.
§ Mr. MellorI have received some 50 representations from midwives in the Mersey region. I have nothing to add to what I told the House in the debate on the Adjournment on 7 December at columns 407-16.