§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she intends to complete the joint examination of excessive hours worked by junior hospital doctors.
§ Mrs. CastleThe Hospital Junior Staffs Committee recently welcomed my offer to review the length of hours worked by junior staff, and stated its willingness to enter further discussions. This followed the agreement with the Government by the Committee that it would hold early discussions about this matter with its consultant colleagues on the Joint Negotiating Committee. The Department has now arranged to discuss the issue further with the Staff Side, but it is clearly too early to say when the proposed joint examination could be completed.