§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the ratio of speech therapists to general population in each of the EEC countries.
§ Sir George YoungThis information is not available. The organisation of speech therapy services varies between the EEC countries, and the Community has yet to establish a common definition of "non-medical speech therapist".
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he recognises speech therapists as a separate and autonomous profession; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungI regard the recommendations on the scope of responsibility and competence of speech therapists, summarised in paragraph 11.02 of the 1972 Quirk report on speech therapy services, as of continuing relevance in the current circumstances of the NHS. I also wish to lay emphasis on the interdependence of the professions working within the NHS rather than on the varying levels of independence and autonomy of each profession.