§ 7. Mr. Moyleasked the Minister of Health whether he will take action in the light of the report of his department's fact-finding board to ensure that National Health Service appointment committees will no longer insist on an applicant for a job attending for an interview where the applicant is a United Kingdom citizen employed in the United States of America at the time of his application.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThis is a matter for appointment committees to decide. They are unlikely to insist on interviewing an applicant from overseas except for permanent appointment at consultant level.
§ Mr. MoyleIn view of the urgency of the brain drain problem, would my right hon. Friend use his influence along the lines that there should be more joy in the National Health Service over one emigrant who repenteth than 99 who are saved?
§ Mr. RobinsonMy hon. Friend may be interested to know that a number of British doctors overseas come here for interview at their own expense, but to 1130 remove any such deterrent in the case of doctors recommended by my interview board in North America as suitable for appointment hospital boards have been authorised to meet their travel expenses.