§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many agency-based nurses are employed on a casual labour basis in(a) Scottish and (b) Glasgow hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythInformation about agency nurses is collected twice yearly and the average whole-time equivalents for the quarter ending 31 March 1990 for Scotland and Glasgow hospitals are 215 and 127 respectively.
§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to reduce the number of trained, experienced nurses who rely for employment on agency-based casual labour; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Government do not have a policy of direction of labour and nurses are free to seek employment in the public, private or voluntary sectors.