§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many qualified social workers with specialist training for work with people who are deaf are currently employed in Scotland by(a) social work departments, (b) voluntary organisations and (c) other bodies; how many have completed training in each of the last five years; what action he is taking to increase their number; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe information requested is not held centrally. Qualifying training
is designed to import the basic knowledge and skills required for social work generally".684W There is at present no formal specialist training course for those wishing to work exclusively or primarily with deaf people. However the Open university, with financial support from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health, is developing a course which will be available to social work staff throughout the United Kingdom who wish to specialise in this area.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many interpreters for the deaf are employed by public bodies in Scotland; how many have been trained in each of the last five years; what action he is taking to increase their number; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythComprehensive information of the kind requested is not held centrally. I understand that there are 15 interpreters on a register maintained by the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters, which also undertakes their training. The latest information on trainees is as follows:
In 1988–89 grant of £18,580 will be paid to the association towards training and running costs generally.
Number 1983 2 1984 1 1985 3 1986 — 1987 1