§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current level and trend of recruitment for student teachers of physiotherapy; what is the evidence of qualified physiotherapy teachers returning to clinical posts; and if she is satisfied that the present salary structure adequately differentiates the work of physiotherapy teachers.
§ Mr. MeacherThe Chartered Society of Physiotherapy told me in August that eight student teachers were expected to start training in September in England: this compares with figures of 22, 18, 18, 17 and 21 respectively in each of the five years 1970–1974. I have no statistics on the number of physiotherapy teachers returning to clinical posts, although I have been informed of several instances over recent months where teachers have expressed an intention to move into other fields including clinical work in this country. The Staff Side of the Professional and Technical Whitley Council "A" has made representations to me concerning the changes in salary relativities between teaching and clinical grades effected in the context of the overall 38 per cent. increase recommended in the Report of Lord Halsbury's Committee of Inquiry into the pay of this and certain other professions. I felt unable to ask the Whitley Council to reconsider the effects of a Committee of Inquiry's recommendations so soon after it had reported although, while bearing in mind the terms of the Government's current pay policy, I intend to keep the situation under careful review.