§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that no newly qualified nurse in Scotland is unable to find a job.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 28 June 1990]: While most newly qualified nurses find employment on completion of their training, it is impossible to guarantee the employment of all such nurses and students are made aware of this when they enrol. The number of nurses qualifying each year will seldom, if ever, match the number of posts immediately available in the national health service, but it should be noted that the number of qualified nurses employed in the national health service in Scotland has increased by 34.5 per cent. between 1979 and 1989. In addition, there are a growing number of employment opportunities for nurses elsewhere in both the public and private sectors.