§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to give a greater role in the examination of nursing qualifications to the Royal College of Nursing.
§ Mr. MellorThe statutory responsibility for establishing and improving the standard of nurse training and for approving educational institutions and courses rests with the United Kingdom Central Council and the four national boards for nursing, midwifery and health visiting. The Royal College of Nursing's institute of advanced nursing education is an important provider of post-registration education and training, whose work we fully support. I hope that the institute will continue to develop higher standards of clinical excellence within the profession through its activities.