To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trainees entered the nursing profession in 1989; how many nurses are at present employed by the National Health Service; and what is the estimated number of nurses necessary to staff the National Health Service.

20,877 people entered pre-registration nurse training in England during the year ended 31 March 1989. At 30 September 1988, the latest date for which this information is available, there were 241,800 (whole-time equivalent) qualified nurses and midwives employed in the National Health Service in England. The planning and setting of staffing levels is a matter for individual health authorities. Decisions on appropriate levels of staff must be based on local needs and priorities.