asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many of the duties at present performed by nurses in hospitals could be equally well done by hospital orderlies, thus leaving the nurses free to deal with their more responsible duties; and if he will appoint a committee to examine the question.

A similar suggestion is made in the recent report of the Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust on a job analysis of the work of nurses in hospital wards. The report is now being examined by my right hon. Friend's Standing Nursing Advisory Committee.