§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide a list of local authorities supplementing their chiropody service by the employment of strictly supervised "foot aides"; how many such people are employed, and what is their geographical distribution; what are the terms of service and remuneration; and if he is satisfied that the introduction of this part of the foot care profession was done after proper consultation with the rest of the profession.
§ Sir George YoungDetailed NHS manpower returns for 30 September 1977, the latest available at present, show that a total of 30 foot care assistants were employed by the following area health authorities in England: Avon, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Hereford, Humberside, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Sandwell, Staffordshire, and Wakefield. The current annual salary of foot care assistants ranges from a minimum of £2,375 at age 18 to a maximum adult rate of £2,811, plus a nonenhanceable supplement of £1 a week for full-time staff. Other terms and conditions are as for chiropodists in the basic grade, except that annual leave entitlement is four weeks. I am satisfied that the introduction of this new grade into the National Health Service in 1977 was undertaken only after full consultation and with the agreement of the professional chiropody organisations concerned.