§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial resources are allocated from the NHS budget for the recruiting and training of dental technicians during the next three years. [133245]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonLocal work force development confederations are responsible for commissioning education and training for dental technicians. Their aggregate business plans indicate that nationally they are forecasting to spend £1.5 million in 2003–04, £1.7 million in 2004–05 and £1.8 million in 2005–06 on pre-registration dental technician training. We value highly the contribution that dental technicians make to the dental team and are working with the profession to see how training opportunities might be expanded.