§ Sir M. Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Health (1) if there is a shortage of male orderlies in the venereal disease clinics in England and Wales; how many vacancies for male orderlies have occurred in the past three years; and how many of the vacancies were filled with untrained men;
(2) the percentage of male orderlies in the venereal disease clinics in England and Wales who were engaged without having previous training in this specialised work.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithMy hon. Friend will understand that it is not practicable as a routine to collect separate statistical information about small groups of staff. Training in this field is by experience and. while I know that there is some36W difficulty in recruiting orderlies, I hope that recruitment will improve as a result of pay increases recently announced.