§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to develop speech therapy services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorIt is for individual health authorities to determine the appropriate level of provision of their speech therapy services, having regard to local circumstances, competing priorities and available resources. The number of speech therapists employed in the National Health Service in England has risen by nearly 75 per cent. since 1979 and expenditure on speech therapy services has increased by 100 per cent. in real terms over the same period.