§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many student training allowances were paid to speech therapy staff in the financial years 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87; how many such allowances are being paid at the present time; and what proportion of speech therapy staff were or are in receipt of such allowances at the dates stated;
(2) what was the annual value of the speech therapists' student training allowance in 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87 and currently.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information required about the number of speech therapy training allowances paid to speech therapy staff is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Rates of allowance and estimated total cost (Great Britain) for the years 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87 are given in the following table. Cost figures are not available for 1983–84 or for the current financial year.
Student training allowance £ per annum Grade 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1. Head or Designated Officer in approved Department 750 750 864 2. Senior II 500 500 576 3. Designated Officer 250 250 288 For those not entitled to full allowances (a) as detailed in 1. above 375 375 432 (b) as detailed in 2. above 250 250 288 (c) as detailed in 3. above 125 125 144 Estimated Great Britain cost 412,400 434,400 500,100