HC Deb 27 June 1966 vol 730 c1219
29. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has for the provision of further education facilities and training of medical laboratory technicians.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)

The Medical Laboratory Technicians Board has made proposals to the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine on future training courses, and in this connection I have asked hospitals for information about the staffing of laboratories and facilities for training.

Mrs. Short

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many student technicians do not get release? Will he, therefore, instruct regional hospital boards to allow them release for block release and sandwich courses, so that they have facilities comparable with those of other professions, jobs and industries?

Mr. Robinson

The present position is that employing authorities may grant student and junior technicials day release for up to six years and pay course fees and excess travelling expenses. I will consider whether any further advice to hospitals is required in the light of their replies to the questionnaire which I have sent to them.