HC Deb 20 January 1988 vol 125 cc739-40W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in theOfficial Report the number of (i) trainee physiotherapists, (ii) trainee speech therapists, (iii) trainee occupational therapists and (iv) trainee midwives (Royal College of Midwives) entering courses in England during each of the past 10 years.

Mr. Newton

[holding answer 15 January 1988]: Information for (i) and (iii) is not available on an England-only basis. However, the number of trainee physiotherapists and occupational therapists entering courses in Great Britain over the past 10 years is as follows:

Trainee physiotherapists and occupational therapists entering courses 1978 to 1987 (Great Britain)
Academic year commencing Physiotherapy trainees Occupational therapy trainees
1978 960 634
1979 988 658
1980 996 695
1981 991 714
1982 977 766
1983 954 751
1984 960 747
1985 967 760
1986 962 754
1987 969 814

For (ii) information on the numbers commencing degree courses related to speech therapy is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science since all courses are run by universities and polytechnics.

The information requested for (iv) is as follows:

Student midwives—England—1978 to 1987
Year Total numbers in training at 31 March12 Numbers entering training during year ended 31 March2
1978 4,230 3
1979 4,230 3
1980 3,870 3
1981 3,910 3
1982 3,910 3
1983 4,190 3
1984 3 3
1985 4,363 2,916
1986 4,227 2,961
1987 4,487 2,759
Source: English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and predecessor.
1 Figures prior to 1985 have been estimated as 95 per cent. of the

England and Wales totals.
2 The length of midwifery training was extended to 18 months on 1 September 1981.
3 Not available.

It is important to note that the numbers of midwives intending to practise on qualifying have increased from 52 per cent. in 1978–79 to over 70 per cent. in 1985–86.