asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now introduce a crash course in training and attracting nursing staff into renal dialysis centres.

I do not consider it necessary to introduce a crash course of training for nursing staff wishing to work in renal dialysis centres. Any registered nurse appointed to such a centre can be given in-service training to enable her to provide competent care. There are also special courses approved by the Joint Board of Clinical Nursing Studies for nurses working in renal units.As far as recruitment of nurses to renal dialysis centres is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short), on 26 March.—[Vol. 981, c.