§ Mrs Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what arrangements are being made for approval of social workers under the Mental Health Act 1983, following the expiry of the arrangements to give transitional approval to certain social workers; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make a statement on his Department's discussions with local authority associations, the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work and the National and Local Government Officers Association about the current Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work proposals for new training courses for social workers; what issues are still outstanding; and when he expects the full implementation of longer term arrangements for approved social workers under the Mental Health Act 1983.
§ Mrs. CurrieI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.