§ Sir A. Baillieasked the Minister of Labour whether he will ensure that newly qualified nurses who are also qualified midwives shall be free to practise either general nursing or midwifery at their option and shall not be directed into midwifery against their will?
§ Mr. BevinI can give no such assurance, since it is essential that nurses and midwives should be employed where they are most needed. In taking action to meet the problem of distribution I propose to obtain the advice of the National Advisory Council on which nurses and midwives are adequately represented. I would naturally wish to consider the desire of any individual nurse or midwife.