§ Mr. Archerasked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken to ensure that candidates for posts in National Health Service hospitals are not required to answer questions about their religion.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI have arranged for hospital authorities to be informed of my views, and that I wish them to be observed. These views are:
- (a)there should be no discrimination or prejudice (or appearance of discrimination or prejudice) on grounds of religious belief or unbelief, in the appointment of nursing or other staff (or their promotion);
- (b)an individual's religious belief or unbelief is in any event a personal matter for him and not for his or her employer;
- (c)application forms should therefore not include a question on this subject;
- (d)if a question is asked at interview about a candidate's religion (as about other matters), it should he framed in such a way that the candidate knows it need not be answered, should he or she prefer not to do so;
79 - (e)there are occasions when it may be desirable for the running of the hospital to know a nurse's religion, particularly when there are religious objections to certain procedures. But nurses could be told collectively that in such a case they should inform the Matron; or the Matron could explain at the interview that for the running of the hospital it will be necessary for her to know in due course whether the candidate has any religious belief which would prevent her from undertaking particular duties;
- (f)if it is desired to put student nurses in touch with clergy or other representatives of their particular denominations, an offer to do so could be conveyed in general terms to all.
I accept that special considerations apply at denominational hospitals and this guidance is not intended for these.