§ Mr. Roebuckasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, despite a recent adjustment, hospital social workers are in general paid less than people of identical qualifications employed by local authorities, and that this is causing a drift of workers from hospitals; and if he will improve the salaries of hospital social workers.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonPay of hospital social workers is a matter for the Whitley Council in the first instance. A recent settlement introduced for hospital staff engaged on comparable duties a salary and grading structure corresponding with that negotiated for local authority staff. Both services require more social workers and my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio has under review the co-ordination of the training, recruitment and deployment of social workers generally.