§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many chiropodists are employed by the National Health Service; if he considers the number to be adequate; and if he has had any representations to the contrary.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThere were 2,392 whole-time equivalent chiropodists employed in the National Health Service in England at 30 September 1983. Figures for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for those countries. There is undoubtedly some shortage of164W chiropodists in the NHS and we occasionally receive representations about the adequacy of particular local provision.