§ Mr. Raceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce, as a matter of urgency, the required enabling legislation to set up the central 51W council and the national boards envisaged in the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe action necessary to set up the central council for nursing, midwifery and health visiting, and the national boards, under the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979, consists of making an order under that Act. I have decided in consultation with colleagues in other United Kingdom Health Departments to arrange for an order to be laid in Parliament which will allow the national board to be set up by the summer next year and the central council to follow shortly thereafter. This timetable will allow time for detailed consultations on the constitution and membership of the new bodies.