HC Deb 09 January 2001 vol 360 cc536-7W
Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if an experienced Supervisor of Midwives post will continue to be available to the local supervising authority as their designated responsible officer. [143520]

Mr. Denham

The Local Supervising Authority function has been successfully discharged by experienced practising midwives since 1996. There are no plans to change this.

The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting has the power to prescribe qualifications for supervisors of midwives as will the new Nurses and Midwives Council.