§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what consultations he is having with local authorities and the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work concerning proposals to revise the system of training and assessment of approved social workers as defined by the Mental Health Act 1983;
(2) if he will undertake to provide additional funds for any extra training or assessment costs falling upon local authorities or the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work arising from the revised system of training approved social workers which takes account of problems resulting from the current industrial action;
(3) what is his estimate of the expenditure incurred by local authorities in training approved social workers under the Mental Health Act 1983.
§ Mr. John PattenI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.