asked the Secretary of State Social Services if she will take steps to rectify the situation which allows a 22year-old SRN with a Health Visitor's Certificate to earn up to £1,000 more a year than an experienced SRN, SCN or RFN who is doing exactly the same job but has not a Health Visitor's Certificate.

The situation should not arise as, under statute, only a nurse who holds the HV Certificate may undertake the full duties of a health visitor. The pay differential between the certificated and uncertificated school nurse, about which the hon. Member wrote to my right hon. Friend, is a matter for negotiation on the Nurses Whitley Council.