§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to introduce standardisation of training techniques, registration on a community basis and certification for hypnotherapists; if she will give details of her Department's response to the British Medical Association's report "Complementary Medicine—New Approaches to Good Practice"; and if she will make a statement about her Department's view of hypnotherapy services and their funding.
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 22 July 1993]: We support the efforts of reputable training institutes in hypnotherapy to develop standards of training, voluntary registration and certification of hypnotherapists. The 555W British Medical Association's report will make a significant contribution to aiding understanding in the field of complementary medicine and we shall consider its recommendations with interest and care. Hypnotherapy is, in some cases, already provided in the national health service as an adjunct to other treatment by doctors, dentists, psychologists and other health care professionals. We are currently reviewing these matters to examine whether there is a further role for Government in promoting safe and competent practice in this field.