asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to announce his decision on the future of the National Staff Committee for Nurses and Midwives; if he is satisfied that the consultation period has been long enough to enable the profession to submit its views; and if he will make a statement.

The National Staff Committee for Nurses and Midwives is now funded by the National Health Service Training Authority, which is consulting about review of committee structure. We have had no representations about the authority's consultation period. We expect to receive the authority's recommendations in the spring, after which we shall make our decision.