asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give comparative figures for the salaries of occupational therapists employed by the National Health Service and social services departments; and if he will make a statement.

The salaries of occupational therapists employed in the National Health Service are negotiated by the Professional and Technical A Whitley Council. The scales effective from 1st April 1978 range from £2,823 at the minimum of the basic grade to £7,479 at the maximum of the Teacher Principal I grade. No specific scales for occupational therapists employed by local authority social service departments are laid down by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical Services, but I understand that such staff are commonly paid on scales ranging from £2,570 to £6,243, which are due to be increased with effect from 1st July 1978.