asked the Minister of Health if he accepts the recommendation contained in paragraph 117 of the Younghusband Report concerning financial assistance from central government funds for the training of social workers; and when he intends to introduce the necessary legislation.

I consider that the present arrangements for financial assistance to trainees should be given a fair trial before further steps are contemplated.

Is not the Minister aware that the Younghusband Working Party, which gave a good deal of thought to this mater, came to the exactly opposite conclusion and thought that the present arrangements would not be suitable for the expansion of training? Will he not give this matter further thought before reaching a final decision?

Yes. This is not a final decision. I am sure that at present the number of trainees is not limited by the absence of any Exchequer grant, and so it seems reasonable to see how the present arrangements work.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of psychiatric social workers in the National Health Service.

Facilities for training have been provided at two further universities this year, but availability of experienced supervision remains the limiting factor and this can only improve gradually.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that that is a most unsatisfactory reply? Is she not further aware of the desperately serious shortage in so many areas, which calls for the most urgent and drastic steps in schools and universities to recruit more people, and for the greatest effort on the part of those who are qualified to give the training?

There is no shortage of applicants. As I indicated in my Answer, part of the training is actual case work—practical work—and that needs an already qualified psychiatric social worker in order to undertake the training of recruits to the service, but steps have been taken to improve the position.