§ Mr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will define the criteria by which the need for additional consultants at district general hospitals is determined.
§ Sir K. JosephNo precise criteria can be defined. Individual proposals for new posts, prepared by regional hospital boards, are considered on their merits by the Central Advisory Committee on Consultant Establishments, a professional committee including representatives of hospital doctors. These arrangements are being modified: a new Committee, the Central Manpower Committee (Medical and Dental) which has recently been set up, will advise on the planning and monitoring of the establishments of all grades of hospital medical and dental staff.