§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reasons the grading of newly qualified midwives with the same responsibilities varies between district health authorities;
(2) if he will state the numbers of midwives, in districts with low staff turnover, who remain in posts graded D until higher posts become available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMidwifery posts, in common with others in the clinical grading structure, are graded in accordance with the skills and responsibilities they call for. The grading of posts may vary between authorities because of differences in the way services, staff responsibilities, and management structures are organised.
Information is not collected centrally on how long midwives in particular grades have been qualified, nor on the numbers of staff who wish to apply for higher graded posts.