§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the fact that the majority of surgical shoe makers are at or nearing retirement, and are not being replaced because of lack of training facilities, he will take steps to set up such facilities in order to assure the future supply of orthopaedic footwear.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisMy Department has a strong interest in the recruitment and 569W training of surgical shoemakers, as does the Manpower Services Commission through its Training Services Agency and the Footwear Industry Training Board. Some training facilities already exist and efforts to co-ordinate and extend them have been given new impetus by the training board's recent appointment of a training officer in this field.
The Disability Studies Unit has sent me this week a copy of its report "The Orthopaedic Footwear Industry". I am having this report urgently and sympathetically considered and will be in touch with the director of the unit, as soon as possible, about my Department's response to its recommendations.