asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about recruitment, retention and shortages of (a) hospital pharmacists, (b) laboratory staff, (c) secretaries, and (d) record clerks in the National Health Service.

Such information is not collected centrally, but we are aware of some problems affecting certain grades in particular areas. Apart from action by local management, measures to alleviate these problems have been taken or are under discussion in the appropriate Whitley councils.