§ Mr. Onslowasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the length of the training course given to those applicants selected for training as interviewers for the general field programme of the Social Survey; and why, in 1966, over 172W 55 per cent. of these trainees dropped out of the course before their training was completed.
§ Mr. MacDermotPrimary training for interviewers for the general field programme takes in all about two weeks. Part of this is at headquarters and part in the field. During this period further assessments are made of the suitability of trainees for the work and their ability to assimilate the detailed working instructions needed for efficient field work. The training period thus forms a further selection period during which some trainees are found unsatisfactory and are consequently not taken on. Others find that they cannot cope with the actual field work, For these reasons many trainees drop out during the training period.
§ Mr. Marquandasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether arrangements for constituting the Social Survey as a separate department reporting to the Treasury Ministers in accordance with the Hey-worth Committee recommendation are now complete.
§ Mr. MacDermotYes. The Social Survey will become a separate Department as from 1st April, 1967. Revised Estimates will be presented to the House in due course.