§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current cost to a health authority of training a hearing therapist; and how the cost sub-divides into(a) the cost of the course, (b) the salary to the person taking the course and (c) living expenses.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThis information is not collected centrally.
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§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current pay scale for hearing therapists; what are their promotion prospects; and what evidence he has received regarding the payment of varying rates for comparable hearing therapy work within the health service.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyHearing therapists graded as medical technical officers—MTO—attract salaries ranging from £7,884 to £10,757 for the basic grade MTO 1 to £19,371 to £25,491 maximum for an MTO 5. Promotion on merit through the grades is available to all qualified hearing therapists. Pay flexibilities allow employing authorities to match pay to individual posts and local labour market conditions.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of practising hearing therapists.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNone. It is for local health authorities to determine the number of hearing therapists they employ.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that hearing therapists have a pay scale that is recognised throughout the health service to provide consistent patterns of pay.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyHearing therapists are graded as medical technical officers whose pay is negotiated in the professional and technical staffs B—PTB—Whitley council. PTB pay scales are available throughout the health service.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what exploration there has been of the possibility of educational institutions in parts of the country, other than London, running courses for hearing therapists.
§ Mr. DorrellIt is open to educational institutions to provide hearing therapy courses wherever the demand arises.