§ 2. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health when he intends to set up a national council for social work training.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI hope soon to make a statement about this and the other recommendations of the Working Party on Social Workers.
§ Mr. RobinsonWould not the Minister agree that the plans of the local health authorities for community mental health services are severely handicapped by the lack of trained social workers? In view of the fact that several years must necessarily elapse between setting up a body of this kind and the provision of additional social workers, is there not a case for very urgent action on the Minister's part?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI agree that trained social workers are a very useful attribute in local authority schemes connected with their mental health programmes. I am aware of the necessity for urgency in this matter, but, at the same time, I know that the hon. Gentleman will agree that I must give due weight to all the considerations put before me.