§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many trained chiropodists are employed by each local authority; how many trained and untrained chiropodists, respectively, are employed on an agency basis within the area of each authority; what numbers of whole-time chiropodists each of these figures represent per 1,000 population over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI regret that information in this form is not readily available. The number of trained chiropodists employed in the services provided directly and indirectly by local authorities in England in 1972 was the whole-time equivalent of approximately 3,350. I am aware of a shortage of trained chiropodists and I am keeping the situation under review in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.
§ Miss Quennellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many chiropodists he estimates to be necessary per 1,000 retirement pensioners if all pensioners requiring it are to have the 54W recommended amount of professionally administered chiropody.
§ Mr. AlisonInformation is not available centrally which would enable me to make such an estimate.