HC Deb 30 January 1980 vol 977 cc675-6W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many speech therapists are working in Dundee; what steps he is taking to increase their number; and what is his estimate of the number of people in Dundee with speech defects that require the services of a therapist.

Mr. Fairgrieve

17.8—whole-time equivalent—speech therapists were employed in the Dundee district of Tayside health board at 30 September 1979. In Scotland the number of students who qualified in speech therapy during 1979 was 42—a substantial increase over the previous two years. The number of student places was increased from 56 to 60 for the 1979–80 academic year. Estimates of the local need for a service are matters for the health board concerned.