HC Deb 12 December 1989 vol 163 cc610-1W
54. Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many regrading appeals by midwives and nurses in England and Wales have been considered; and how many remain outstanding.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Information on appeals to district health authorities in England is not collected centrally. The position in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

129. Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received in support of the Commons Select Committee on Social Services recommendation on midwives' grading; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We have received a number of representations in connection with the midwives' lobby of Parliament on 23 November. The Government made clear our position on the Select Committee's recommendations in the response that we published in June.

126. Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of the midwifery profession to discuss their grading.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I and my ministerial colleagues have met representatives of midwives on a number of occassions to discuss a range of matters. The issue of grading was specifically raised most recently when the Royal College of Midwives met my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State in December last year.

122. Mr. Anthony Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses are employed by the National Health Service now and in 1979.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

There were 380,260 whole-time equivalent nursing staff (including agency staff, learners and unqualified staff but excluding midwifery staff) employed in the National Health Service in England at 30 September 1988 compared to 338,070 whole time equivalents at 30 September 1979. The 1979 figure has not been adjusted to take account of the reduction in the nurses working week (from 40 to 37½ hours) during 1980–81.

83. Sir Marcus Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives are employed by the National Health Service now and in 1979.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

There were 23,620 whole time equivalent midwifery staff (including agency staff and students) employed in the National Health Service in England at 30 September 1988 compared to 20,380 whole time equivalents at 30 September 1979. The 1979 figure has not been adjusted to take account of the reduction in the nurses working week (from 40 to 37½hours) during 1980–81.