§ Mr. FIELDasked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that at the recent International Congress of Nurses, held in London, it was shown that many of the leading European and United States Governments have passed legislation for the registration of nurses; and whether, in view of the fact that the majority of nurses and the volume of medical opinion in Great Britain and Ireland are in favour of similar legislation in the three Kingdoms, the Government will introduce a Bill on the subject?
The HON. MEMBERfurther asked whether the Irish Committee of the British Medical Association, at their recent meeting in Belfast, passed a resolution that the Irish Committee of the British Medical Association approves of the principle of State registration of nurses with certain provisions; and whether, in view of this professional opinion, the Government will take measures to carry it into effect?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can only repeat what I have said on a previous occasion with regard to the question of the State registration of nurses, that His Majesty's Government will consider any representations that may be made to them on the subject. As the hon. Member is aware, however, there is considerable diversity of opinion on this question amongst those qualified to judge; and in these circumstances I cannot give any undertaking to introduce legislation.