§ 8. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Health how many student psychiatric social workers and student psychologists are now being employed in the hospital service; and how these figures compare with those of 1960.
§ Mr. BraineI regret this information is not available.
§ Mr. BoydenAccording to the Ministry's last annual report, there was a very serious deficiency of student psychiatric social workers and psychologists. What is the hon. Gentleman's Ministry doing about it?
§ Mr. BraineThere are shortages. The students are not members of the hospital service, but are attached to hospitals for practical experience at periods during their course, which is why I cannot give figures now. The number of students starting vocational training at universities in England and Wales has risen year by year and several more universities are now providing training facilities.