HL Deb 30 May 1963 vol 250 cc1080-2WA
LORD GRENFELL

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they now propose to take following the Report of the Sub-Committee of the Standing Mental Health Advisory Committee on the Training of Staff of Training Centres for the mentally subnormal; and if they will make a statement.

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HEALTH (LORD NEWTON)

My right honourable friend the Minister of Health proposes by administrative action to establish a central council, on the lines recommended in this Report, to promote the provision of training for the staff of training centres for the mentally subnormal, and to approve courses of training. While he hopes to see experiment with two-year and other types of course, he anticipates that one-year courses of training will for the present continue to be normal. The principal current need is more facilities for such courses and for training during service. My right honourable friend does not consider that the time has come when specific qualification should be made a condition for entering this service or continuing in it. He is sure that the recommendations of the Report generally will be of value to the new council in its work.

House adjourned at six minutes before ten o'clock for the Whitsun Recess.