§ 36. Mr. Hartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the new course for all-purpose social workers to be instituted at the Scottish College of Commerce in Glasgow.
§ Mr. MaclayThis full-time two-year course will start in October with an enrolment of about fifteen students. Further information about the course is given in my Health Department's Circular No. 30/61 issued on 22nd March, 1961, of which I am sending the hon. Lady a copy.
§ Mrs. HartWill the Secretary of State tell us how many staff have been recruited, what are their salary scales and how they compare with the scales for similar courses to be instituted in England and Wales? What consultation has there been with organisations of professional social workers in Scotland in the inauguration of this course?
§ Mr. MaclayI should be very pleased if I were able to answer all those questions without warning. I will send the information to the hon. Lady.
§ Miss HerbisonCan the Secretary of State tell us why this college was chosen rather than a university, where there would have been a much better chance of these people getting the training that is considered so important?
§ Mr. MaclayA study group, which was representative of the various interests concerned and was appointed to consider and advise upon the implementation in Scotland of the recommendations contained in the 1959 Young-husband Report on Social Workers, agreed that the college was the most appropriate Scottish centre for this type of training course.
§ Mrs. HartSince the content of the course will be dictated by the kind of staff who are recruited to administer it, why cannot the right hon. Gentleman, since he is giving a statement concerning the course, give details of the staff and their salaries?
§ Mr. MaclayBecause one answers the Question on the Order Paper to the best of one's ability. One cannot guess in advance all the supplementary questions that could possibly be put.