Dr. Morganasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in any of the insular colonies of the West Indies, there are any midwives employed and paid directly by the local governments or by local municipal and rural authorities; and what is the number of those so employed in proportion to the number of births per colony?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanThe Governments of the following West Indian island colonies employ midwives or nurses known to be qualified as midwives. Jamaica, Trinidad, Leeward Islands, Grenada, Dominica and St. Vincent. I have no information as to the number of midwives employed by the other Colonial governments concerned or by the local municipal and rural authorities.
Dr. Morganasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any plans for a composite complete colonial nursing course for the training in Great Britain of Europeans bent on a colonial nursing course or of colonial-born nursing students of any race or colour has yet been considered by the Colonial Office in planning for future colonial nursing services; whether hospital associations or local authorities in Great Britain have ever been approached on a considered scheme; and whether he can make any statement on a future colonial nursing policy?
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§ Mr. MacmillanI can assure my hon. Friend that active steps are being taken regarding the planning of appropriate training of European women for work in colonial medical and health services as well as that of colonial-born students of any race or colour as nurses, midwives and health visitors. As these schemes are not complete, the second part of the Question does not yet arise, but I am obliged to my hon. Friend for his suggestion. A full statement on future colonial nursing policy must await completion of this preliminary work.
Dr. Morganasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there are any recognised courses of training, with proper systematised tuition and practical experience, of midwives in the West Indian Colonies; what supervision the local government exercise over the examination standards; whether any diplomas or examination certificates are given; and whether such diplomas are recognised in all the West Indian islands or only in the colony of training?
§ Mr. MacmillanThere are examinations for midwives conducted by Government medical officers in all the West Indian Colonies and diplomas or certificates of competency are issued by the Colonial Governments. I regret that the information requested in the first and last parts of the Question is not available. But I am making inquiries.
§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that fully-qualified West African nurses are unable to secure posts as sisters or matrons in West African hospitals; whether he proposes to take any steps to remove this colour disqualification; and whether he is considering proposals to revise hospital administration so as to encourage and permit suitably trained and qualified West Africans to secure any medical or administrative post in their own country?
§ Mr. MacmillanIt is the declared policy of Government that there should be no discrimination on the ground of colour in filling appointments in the Government Service in West Africa. It is true that no African nurses have so far been appointed as sisters or matrons in West African Government hospitals, but there is no rule which debars them from obtain- 1531W ing these higher appointments as suitable candidates become available. As regards the last part of the Question, continuous efforts are being made to ensure to West Africans careers commensurate with their talents, training and qualifications.