To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to providing support for participants who commenced re-training under the Return to Practice Programme for midwives in the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. (227772)

Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are responsible for allocating resources from education and training funding to support local initiatives such as return to practice programmes for professional staff. The Department has provided support and funding to SHAs for a programme of work, to deliver expansion in midwifery capacity, as announced in February. This includes supporting midwives through return to practice, where this is part of the local recruitment programme.

SHAs are managing return to practice programmes locally and have been allocated £1.5 million in 2008 or £3,000 per midwife. The £3,000 is an approximate cost per midwife to provide free training, and to support costs such as for childcare and travel.