§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the numbers of speech therapists employed in each county in Wales for each of the years since 1980; and what was the revenue expenditure on speech therapy services in Wales in each year since 1980.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettInformation on speech therapists employed and revenue expenditure on speech therapy by health authorities in Wales is given in the following tables. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will share my pleasure at the substantial improvements made since this Government came into office in 1979.
No information is held centrally on the numbers, if any, of speech therapists employed or revenue expenditure on speech therapy by county councils.
for individual health authorities to determine in the light of their perception of local needs and of available resources. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer earlier today as to information on outturn expenditure on speech therapy in Wales in real terms since 1980.