§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what new funds are being allocated for occupational therapists' training to overcome the current shortage in qualified people to fill all the funded posts;
(2) how many funded positions for occupational therapists in the National Health Service and local authorities are at present vacant due to shortage of applicants.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1987 c. 211]: The results of the most recent sample survey by health authorities suggest that nationally just under 13 per cent. of funded posts for occupational therapists were unfilled after three months at 31 March 1986. For information on numbers of vacancies in social service authorities I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 2 December 1986 at column 624.