asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the number of audiology technician posts in the National Health Service in each of the past five years; what is the current number of vacancies; and what changes there have been in the percentage of posts that are vacant over the last five years.
Information on posts and on vacancies is not collected centrally. Numbers of physiological measurement technicians (audiology) in post for the five years to 1985 (the most recent year for which information is available) are as follows:
| 30 September | Number |
| 1981 | 760 |
| 1982 | 800 |
| 1983 | 790 |
| 1984 | 790 |
| 1985 | 780 |
Source: DHSS annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.
Note: All figures rounded to nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many audiological technicians have been trained in each of the last five years; what is the estimated turnover; and what steps are being taken to reduce it.
Information on staff completing training, or on turnover of staff, is not collected centrally. The numbers of student physiological measurement technicians (audiology) in post for the five years to 1985 (the most recent year for which information is available) are as follows:
| Staff in post in England—grades A and B | |
| 30 September | Number |
| 1981 | 210 |
| 1982 | 190 |
| 1983 | 150 |
| 1984 | 150 |
| 1985 | 140 |
Source: DHSS annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.
Note: All figures rounded to nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recommendations his Department has issued on the desirable number of audiological technicians per million population; and how many regions have achieved this recommended number.
None. The number of technicians required is a matter for determination by the individual health authorities.