To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) post graduates and (b) first degree graduates with recognised qualifications in speech and language therapy there were in 2006, broken down by higher education institution; and what proportion in each case are known to have (i) gained and (ii) retained employment in the NHS in speech therapy after graduating. (127666)

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate her Department has made of the number of language and speech therapists required in England; (131604)

Information is not collected centrally on the number of speech and language therapists who are expected to retire in the next 10 years.

No assessment has been made of the number of speech and language therapists required in England. It is the responsibility of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities with support from the national workforce review team to analyse their local situation, develop plans and take action to recruit the appropriate staff required to deliver high quality speech and language services.

The workforce review team, an arm's length body hosted by NHS South Central, produces supply estimates (including assumptions about retirement) for professional groups. Its estimates for speech and language therapists is available at:

www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=295