§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, (1) in view of the fact that the pay of physiotherapists
276Wwith the average net earnings of male manual workers in manufacturing and certain other industries. Average earnings in this form can be calculated from the Department of Employment's regular October inquiry. On this basis the information requested relating to men is as follows:
(2) what are the numbers of abortions that have taken place each year, since the passing of the Abortion Act.
§ Mr. AlisonThe numbers of abortions notified as occurring in England and Wales for all women, and by age in nearest available groups, were as follows:
§ Mr. AlisonThe numbers of abortions notified as occurring in England and Wales for women usually resident elsewhere were as follows:
and of members of some other paramedical professions is based on levels of women's pay that the Equal Pay Act 1970 does nothing to remedy, if he will use stage 3 of the pay code to improve these 277W pay levels; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he will consider the exemption of physiotherapists and members of other low-paid para-medical professions from the provisions of stage 3 of the pay code.
§ Mr. AlisonAny improvement in the pay of physiotherapists and members of most other health professions employed in the National Health Service is a matter for the Whitley Council in the first place, and I am sure that the Whitley Council will be examining most carefully the provisions of the current pay code before deciding what steps it should take. I am aware that evidence has been provided to the Pay Board by both sides of the Whitley Council about the pay of physiotherapists and many other professions to assist the board in drawing up a report on the problems of pay relativities.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why he has refused to permit local health authorities to employ available physiotherapists in the domiciliary care and after-care of persons suffering from illness, or to contribute to voluntary mobile physiotherapy units which have been formed for this purpose;
(2) how it is proposed to staff with physiotherapists and members of the other remedial professions the increased number of assessment centres and health centres and the expanded domiciliary services which are planned.
§ Mr. AlisonThe policy, and that of my prodecessors, has so far been that in the main physiotherapy services should be concentrated in hospitals where each physiotherapist can treat the greatest number of patients, and her skills used most effectively. I know there are increasing demands for a domiciliary service, and the contribution that physiotherapists might make in this field is a matter which is now being looked at again.
The hon. Member will be aware that we have also taken steps to give further urgent consideration to problems such as recruitment to physiotherapy and the other remedial professions, and the retention of those serving in them. I recognise the valuable work of the voluntary mobile units, some of which do, I understand, 278W receive financial assistance from local authorities.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the Whitley negotiations on a new career structure for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and remedial gymnasts, including the date of their commencement, the reasons for the delay, and the expected date of the report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonI understand that Staff Side proposals for a new grading structure for the remedial professions were submitted to the Management Side of the Professional and Technical Staffs A Whitley Council in November 1970. Subsequent discussions have been concerned with the structure of eight professions in all, including the three remedial professions. I understand that progress in the sub-committees concerned has been uneven, but the hon. Member will appreciate that complex professional and other considerations are involved. The council has given us no indication of when it expects matters to be finalised, but it seems clear that it preferred to use the whole of the sum available within the stage 2 pay limit for general pay improvements for all the professions.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the minimum qualifications for entry to training and the length of full-time training of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and remedial gymnasts, respectively.
§ Mr. AlisonThe minimum qualifications for entry into full-time training, as laid down by the professional bodies concerned and approved by the appropriate registration boards, together with the duration of full-time training, are as follows:
Physiotherapy
Candidates must be at least 18 years of age. They must have at least five passes in specified subjects, including English and one science subject at Ordinary level of the General Certificate of Education, or must have at least five A, B or C grades at Ordinary level of the Scottish Certificate of Education in the same specified subjects. Full-time training lasts approximately three years.
279WOccupational Therapy
Candidates must be at least 18 of age. They must have at least five passes at Ordinary level of the General Certificate of Education, or must have been awarded at least five A, B or C grades at Ordinary level of the Scottish Certificate of Education. Full-time training lasts approximately three years.
Remedial Gymnastics
Candidates must be at least 17 years of age. They must normally have at least four passes, including at least one pass in a science subject, at Ordinary level of the General Certificate of Education, or must have been awarded at least five A, B or C grades, including at least one science subject, at Ordinary level of the Scottish Certificate of Education. Candidates with more than four subjects which do not include a science subject will also be considered. Full-time training lasts two years, but shorter courses are available for qualified teachers of physical education and for physical training instructors in Her Majesty's Forces.