§ 26. Sir Hugh Lucas-Toothasked the Minister of Health whether he accepts the recommendations of the majority Report of the Cope Committees.
§ Mr. MarquandI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 19th April to the hon. Member for Reading, South (Mr. Mikardo).
§ 27. Mr. Linsteadasked the Minister of Health when he proposes to begin discussions with the professions covered by the Cope Committees on Medical Auxiliaries.
§ Mr. MarquandI hope to do so shortly.
§ Mr. LinsteadDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the great anxiety which is felt in these professions about their future, and will he press on as quickly as possible with the discussions with them?
§ Mr. MarquandYes, Sir, but altogether there are 122 recommendations in these Reports. They have to be considered carefully, and the practicability of legislation to carry them out has to be gone into before we can actually meet the organisations concerned. We will, however, press on as fast as possible.
32. Mrs. Hillasked the Minister of Health why he has refused to recognise the qualification of the Joint Council of Chiropodists of Great Britain for new applicants for posts in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. MarquandOne of the recommendations of the Cope Committees, which were appointed to review, inter alia, the training and qualification of medical auxiliaries in the National Health Service, was that chiropodists, to be qualified for employment in the Service, should not only have passed the appropriate examinations but should also have been trained in suitable schools. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have accepted this recommendation as a criterion for the selection of chiropodist entrants to the National Health Service in future.
§ 40. Mr. Fortasked the Minister of Health in view of the shortage of almoners in the National Health Service, what action he proposes to take to encourage recruitment into this profession.
§ Mr. MarquandThe matter is being considered, but I am doubtful whether it will be decided to take any special steps in the present circumstances.
§ Mr. FortIs the right hon. Gentleman discussing the matter both with the universities who train students in social science and also with the Institute of Almoners with a view to overcoming the present shortage in the latter profession?
§ Mr. MarquandYes, Sir, I am considering what the Cope Committees reported about this matter and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education may also have to be consulted.