HC Deb 19 July 1978 vol 954 c256W
Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many toxicologists his Department currently employs; and how many were recruited in 1975, 1976, 1977 and up to 30th June 1978.

Mr. Deakins

My Department currently employs 33 professional staff who are concerned with the two main fields of toxicology: medicines, and food and the environment. Of these, 25 are medically qualified and eight are scientists. Every endeavour is being made to increase and improve the service available to Government but a shortage of trained staff makes recruitment, particularly in the food and environmental field, difficult.

NUMBERS OF STAFF RECRUITED
Year Medical Scientific
1975 2
1976 6 4
1977 4 4
1978 (up to 30th June) 2