§ Mrs. Lena Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations she has received from the Health Service Social Workers Group; and what decision she has made about their future.
§ Mrs. CastleAn order was made on 28th February, under the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973, under which health service social workers are transferred to the employment of local social services authorities on 1st April 1974. I have received a number of representations from the Health Service Social Workers Group about the transfer, and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State will be writing to my hon. Friend about it.
§ Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will defer the transfer of hospital social workers to local authorities, pending the report of the working party on social work support for the health service.
§ Mrs. CastleNo. The Working Party on Social Work Support for the Health Service has already submitted an interim report covering the major area of its work and this was issued on 5th March 1974. The transfer of hospital social workers to local authority employment took effect on 1st April 1974, under the National Health Service (Transfer of Social Services Staff) Order 1974.