§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what reply he has sent to the Royal College of Nursing in response to its complaint that the chief nursing officer has been excluded from membership of the National Health Service policy board.
§ Mr. MellorOn 14 June my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State met the Royal College of 435W Nursing to discuss this issue and a copy of the statement made after that meeting is in the Library. The fact that Mrs. Poole has not been appointed to the board has in no way altered her position and authority as the Government's chief nursing officer, nor does it imply that the Government no longer have a high regard for the nursing profession.