asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers qualified for the Training Council for Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped's Diploma in the academic years 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74 respectively; and how many are at present taking the current course.

I have been asked to reply.The Training Council for Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped was originally responsible for the training of staff working in establishments for both children and adults. In consequence of the decision to transfer responsibility for the education of mentally handicapped children to the Department of Education and Science from April 1971, training for the teachers of these children has now been integrated into the general pattern of teacher training. The training Council for Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped did, however, continue after 1971 to issue some diplomas for work with children.The figures for the numbers of diplomas issued in the academic years up to 1973–74 are as follows:

	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74
Diplomas for work with adults	220	218	254	307
Diplomas for work with children	285	218	128	6

As from 1st October 1974 responsibility for the development of training for staff employed in day centres for adults was taken over by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. The central council is continuing for the present to issue the qualifications formerly issued by the Training Council for Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped in its own name, and at the latest count there were 407 students on the current diploma courses.