asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any plans to introduce (a) the YTS and (b) other Government-sponsored schemes into nurse training; and if he will make a statement.

There are no plans to introduce the youth training scheme or any other Government-sponsored scheme into nurse training. We have, however, recently announced a feasibility study of the scope for greater use of YTS for:

(a) Training 16 to 18-year-olds as support workers to nurses; and

(b) Identifying the more able trainees and bringing them up to the required standard for entry to nurse training by the conclusion of their YTS training.

The study is purely exploratory; no decisions have yet been taken and discussions will take place with professional and staff interests both during and after the study before any changes are made. The study is jointly sponsored by this Department, the Manpower Services Commission, the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and the NHS Training Authority.