§ 15. Mr. LivseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to satisfy himself that the non-educational needs of speech therapy and physiotherapy required by pupils in Wales with statements under section 7(1) of the Education Act 1981 are being adequately provided by district health authorities.
§ Mr. GristThe number of speech therapists employed by health authorities in Wales has doubled since 1979 from 65 to 130, and the number of physiotherapists has increased by 38 per cent. from 382 to 528 over the same period. Through the manpower steering group the Welsh Office has asked health authorities to estimate how many speech therapists, physiotherapists (and other staff groups) will be required over the next five to 10 years. This should enable action to be taken where appropriate to meet these requirements.