§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets have been set for 2002–03 for the Director of International Recruitment for Health Services for the number of foreign recruited nurses working in the NHS. [66161]
§ Mr. HuttonA combination of international recruitment, return to practice, improved retention and increased output from training has meant that the NHS Plan increase of 20,000 more nurses by 2004 has been achieved well in advance of the 2004 target.
The same methods will be used to ensure delivery of the manifesto target and further increases in the nursing workforce.