asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from local authorities as to their requirements, both of nurses and mid-wives, if they are to carry out satisfactorily their statutory duties to the public?

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations from individual local authorities and others about the shortage of nurses and midwives. According to the latest available information hospital authorities, both municipal and voluntary, required another 11,341 nurses of all grades to make up present deficiencies. 560 midwives were needed to make up the shortages in institutions, and another 227 midwives for domiciliary work.