asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the numbers of qualified physiotherapists in the National Health Service during each of the past five years, and at the latest available date.

The figures for the Hospital Service in England and Wales on 31st December were:

1956	…	…	…	…	3,948
1957	…	…	…	…	3,949
1958	…	…	…	…	3,922
1959	…	…	…	…	3,920
1960	…	…	…	…	3,911

The figures include the whole-time equivalents of physiotherapists employed part-time and a small number of unqualified assistants.I regret that the corresponding figures for local authorities are not available.