HC Deb 29 July 1983 vol 46 c667W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the annual saving achieved by cutting all funding for research on nurse education from June 1982 previously given to the joint board of clinical nursing studies.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

A contract with the joint board of clinical nursing studies for research into post basic clinical training of nurses was due for completion on 30 June 1982. Because of the impending establishment of the United Kingdom central council which was to absorb the activities of JBCNS it was agreed to extend the funding to 31 March 1983 but at a reduced level, in order to allow UKCC to consider what further research was required. In the last year of full activity, 1981–82, the cost was £120,000. In 1982–83 when the project came to an end, support amounted to £63,000.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the resources to be allocated for research into nursing education for 1983–84 and 1984–85; which bodies will be responsible for administering these funds; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

It is expected that the Department's expenditure on research into nursing education in 1983–84 will be £286,000. The total so far committed for 1984–85 is £239,000. The main component of these sums is represented by support for research at the nursing education research unit at Chelsea college, London, which will account for £214,000 of the total in each year. The remainder is largely accounted for by expenditure on the Department's nursing research studentship scheme (estimated to cost £27,000 in 1983–84 and £25,000 in 1984–85), and individual research projects in the field. The full level of expenditure to be incurred in 1984–85 will be determined in due course.