§ 27. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary for Social Services if he will give an assurance that the speech therapists will obtain their grading structure before the area health authorities have made their staffing arrangements.
§ Mr. AlisonI am sure that the Whitley council will wish to reconsider grading structure proposals as soon as management arrangements for speech therapy services in the reorganised National Health Service can be made known.
§ Dame Irene WardIs my hon. Friend aware that speech therapists have been waiting for four years to obtain their grading structure? This is far too long and I protest against the delay. Can my hon. Friend give a better reply?
§ Mr. AlisonI tremble at any protest which arises from that quarter, but my hon. Friend will know that very complicated professional factors are involved in this matter. There is a proper and established forum for conducting these negotiations and there is good will on both sides and a desire to reach a satisfactory conclusion. The fact that this takes time only demonstrates the real professional and practical difficulties involved.
§ Mr. PavittIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this announcement is too little and comes too late? Does he not 22 agree that, unless he takes immediate and urgent action, there will be no such thing as a speech therapy service in this country? Will he do something about it immediately?
§ Mr. AlisonI cannot accept that. Speech therapy services in this country have been increasing and the numbers in post are rising, although not as rapidly as we would wish. The Quirk Committee recommendations have been noted and accepted by the Government. I believe that we shall reach the targets of the increased numbers in post which the Quirk Committee projects for the next decade. I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's strictures.