§ 32. Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health what proportion of the supervisors and assistant supervisors in hospi- 26 tal schools for the mentally handicapped and mentally subnormal have the appropriate National Association for Mental Health qualification or other recognised qualification.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonAbout 21 per cent.
§ Lord BalnielIs not this proportion of trained staff in the hospital schools substantially below the proportion of trained staff in the junior training centres? Will the right hon. Gentleman bring the conditions of service in the hospital schools, particularly those relating to holidays, into line with the staff in the junior training centres?
§ Mr. RobinsonI take note of that suggestion. Arrangements were made in September 1966 to enable suitable hospital staff to be seconded on full pay to courses leading to qualifications. So far, we have had 28 applications for secondment, all of which have been approved.