asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the scales of pay for local authority social workers in the United Kingdom.

The terms and conditions of service for local authority social workers in England, Scotland and Wales are determined by individual local authorities, subject to national agreements negotiated between local authorities and staff interests through the National Joint Council for Administration, Professional, Technical and Clerical Services, of 41 Belgrave Square, London S.W.1. The national scheme of conditions of service is set out in the handbook published by the Council. The terms and conditions of service for social workers in Northern Ireland are determined by the Department of Health and Social Services. Northern Ireland.