§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received in favour of retaining the reference to mental nursing in the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have received representa-tions on this point from the Psychiatric Nurses Association. Under the existing legislation, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may constitute standing committees of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting to deal with118W specified matters, including in particular training, clinical nursing studies, mental nursing and occupational health nursing. Under the provisions of the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Bill my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be able to constitute standing committees of the council to deal with any matter, if the council requests him to do so.