HC Deb 25 February 1986 vol 92 cc794-5 2. Mr. Greenway  asked
the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans
to differentiate between the rates of pay of state registered
nurses and state registered midwives; and if he will make a
statement.  The Minister for Health (Mr. Barney Hayhoe)  The pay
of National Health Service nursng and midwifery staff is
determined following the recommendations of an independent
review body.  Mr. Greenway  Is my right hon. Friend aware that
state registered nurses have to undertake an 18-month course on
staff nurse pay to become qualified midwives? Is he further
aware that, as they get no extra pay for qualifying as midwives,
fewer nurses are undertaking the course? With the birth rate
rising, and expected to rise more steeply in the 1990s, where
will we find the midwives to deliver those babies? Will we have
to adopt natural childbirth?  Mr. Hayhoe  As I said, midwives'
pay is being considered by the independent review body, and it
would not be right for me to co