§ Mrs. René e Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many voluntary service co-ordinators have been appointed, or are in the employment of, the Volunteer Centre for each year since it was established; and how many volunteers there have been in each year.
§ Sir George YoungVoluntary service co-ordinators are employed by the relevant statutory authorities, not by the Volunteer Centre. Information on the number of voluntary service coordinators employed in the NHS is not available from official statistics. However, the Volunteer Centre has recently published estimates showing an increase from 252 in 1975 to 290 in 1980. No estimates of the number employed in368W social services are at the moment available. I have no information on the number of volunteers in either service.
§ Mrs. René e Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the kind of work undertaken by volunteers acting under the Volunteer Centre in the health and social services.
§ Sir George YoungVolunteers working in the field of health and personal social services undertake a wide range of work. Comprehensive information on their activities is not available centrally.