asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many speech therapists are employed by education authorities;(2) how many speech therapists are employed by education authorities specifically for children with speech and language difficulties who are not classified as educationally subnormal.

Responsibility for speech therapy has lain with the health boards since April 1974. In March 1976 the boards employed 195 speech therapists—85 on hospital work and 110 on community health services. Service to schools was given by the latter group, but it is not the practice to employ therapists exclusively either for ordinary or for special schools.