§ 14. Lord Balnielasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will initiate an inquiry into the desirability of appointing an inter-disciplinary council to co-ordinate research and the recruiting, training and deployment of social workers.
§ Mr. HoughtonI am consulting the other Ministers concerned about the noble Lord's suggestion.
§ Lord BalnielThat is a very welcome advance, but does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that there is a real need 543 for an improvement in the co-ordination of the work of the social workers? Will he also recognise that at the moment there is no single authority responsible for co-ordinating the recruiting, training and research programmes of the social workers? Will he actively pursue these matters?
§ Mr. HoughtonI am aware that there are matters here for consideration. I read with interest the hon. Gentleman's letter to The Times recently, and there is undoubtedly a case for consulting the Ministers concerned, which I said I would do.