§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to assist in the recruitment and training off specialist social workers for the blind.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyRecruitment and training of staff are the responsibility of employers. The Department is funding a number of initiatives to enable employers to make most effective use of existing work forces and I have recently announced a training strategy aimed at improving 513W the supply and training of the personal social services work force at all levels. In addition, we also provide funding specifically for the training of rehabilitation workers with the blind.