§ Mr. Bradfordasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when the 383W Minister of State for Health and Social Serivces in Northern Ireland will meet representatives of the staff side of the Nurses and Midwives Joint Council to discuss future strategy in old people's homes in the Province;
(2) if he will include representatives of the nursing staff and representatives of the staff side of the Nurses and Midwives Joint Council on the investigating committee in respect of old people's homes in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. AlisonI have arranged for a committee to be appointed to review all aspects of health and social care for the elderly in Northern Ireland, including the provision of residential facilities. There are seven members of the nursing profession among the 21 people serving on the committee and no increase in membership is envisaged. The staff side of the Nurses and Midwives Joint Council has been invited to give written and oral evidence and I do not feel that a meeting with it at this time would serve a useful purpose.