§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to review the current clinical grading system for midwives; and if she will make a statement;
(2) if she will establish an expert committee to review the pay conditions and grading structures for midwives in the NHS; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe have no plans to review the current clinical grading system for midwives. These are matters for the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has had recently regarding the pay and conditions of midwives working within the NHS.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe receive representations periodically about pay and conditions from a variety of sources including midwives and their representative organisations.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what response the Government made to the recommendations by the House of Commons Select Committee on the changes needed in the clinical grading and pay structure for midwives.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Health Committee did not make any specific recommendations about clinical grading and the pay structure of midwives.