§ 13. Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the proposal in the Kirby report to establish a national advisory committee on health education officer development and training.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI accept that there may be a need for an appropriately constituted advisory committee to take overall responsibility for the future oversight of health education officer development and training. But, I think, its form and its relationships with the Department, the service and the Health Education Council, will best be decided in the light of the outcome of the current reviews of the National Training Council and the National Staff Committee.
§ Mr. DormandThat is a disappointing reply. Is the Minister aware that the Government's contribution—not just in financial terms—to health education leaves a great deal to be desired? Does he agree that the health education officer has the key role to play in health education? Will he therefore implement the report's recommendations as a matter of urgency?
§ Mr. FinsbergWe recognise the importance of the role of the health education officer. That is why his post has been excluded from the management cost exercise. There are 450 health education officers in post. It would not be doing a service to the hon. Gentleman's beliefs to rush in until we have finished considering the reports that I have mentioned.