asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of the fact that throughout the National Health Service a wide variation exists in the staff grades under which phlebotomists are employed, whether he proposes to give guildance to health authorities as to the appropriate grade applicable to these employees.

Health authorities are aware of the duties appropriate to grades negotiated by the Whitley Councils. Arrangements for collecting specimens of blood are made locally using these grades, except where use is made of ad hoc grades to which my right hon. Friend has approved a limited number of appointments. The negotiation of a grade to be generally available specifically for blood taking would be a matter for the Whitley Councils.