§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount spent by his Department on posts of hearing therapists during the operation of the central funding scheme; if he is monitoring the number of posts now paid for by health authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonAllocations of revenue from central funds to the hearing therapist scheme are as follows:
706W
Non recurring, to cover costs during training (£ 000s)1 Recurring2 (£ 000s)1 1978–79 25 Nil 1979–80 68 32 1980–81 81 88 1981–82 80 108 1982–83 110 104 1983–84 99 130 1984–85 124 112 1985–86 Nil 154 1At cost 1Each year's allocation has been built recurrently into Regional Health Authorities' cash limits. It is for health authorities to decide on the number of posts that they wish to establish, and these are not formally monitored by the Department. We continue however to keep in close touch with the National Health Service training authority and the British Society of Hearing Therapists about the development of hearing therapy within the National Health Service.