§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the expenditure on nurse education was cut by 4.85 per cent. in one year; how many nurse teachers were made redundant; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have made adjustments to the funding of nurse training in the last two years in line with our judgment of the needs of nursing education and the Government's overall wish to contain the level of public expenditure. Last week I met representatives of the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, the body responsible for the provision of nurse education and training in England. At that meeting there was a full discussion of the needs of nurse education and we will continue to give careful consideration to the level of funding required.
I understand that there have been no redundancies among nurse teachers since the English national board assumed its responsibilities on 1 July 1983.