§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following the report of the Standing Commission on Human Rights, which took evidence over a period of eight months, if he will now introduce divorce and family law reform legislation.
§ Mr. MasonThe Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights has considered the law on divorce in Northern Ireland and has sent me a report. I am arranging for this to be published and I shall then make a statement about it.
The Office of Law Reform issued a consultative document "The Reform of Family Law" earlier this year setting out
Medical Staff(excluding Consultants Senior Registrars and Registrars) Non-Medical Staff In-Patients Out-Patients 1970 … … 138 2,965 24,950 584,076 1971 … … 133 3,133 24,536 547,882 1972 … … 138 3,311 23,953 463,743 1973 … … 118 3,455 22,448 458,494 1974 … … 118 3,599 22,681 456,973 1975 … … 120 3,966 21,985 446,783 1976 … … 120 4,036 24,070 472,872 The numbers of consultants, senior registrars and registrars employed at the Royal Victoria Hospital during each of these years are not readily available as consultants are employed on an area basis and in many cases undertake sessions at a number of hospitals. Medical staff in the training grades of senior registrar and registrar are similarly employed on an area basis and hold rotational training appointments at a number of hospitals. The numbers of consultants, senior registrars and registrars employed by the Eastern Board on an area basis in the years immediately following the reorganisation of services were 1974, 437; 1975, 479; 1976, 482.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what are the arrangements at the Royal Victoria Hospital for the interviewing of applicants for appointment and for promotion; who devised the arrangements; and when they were approved by the hospital authorities;
(2) whether he is satisfied with the arrangements at the Royal Victoria
122Wthe position in England and Wales on a number of matters broadly connected with marriage, and inviting comments and criticism on suggestions that similar legislation should be enacted for Northern Ireland. I intend to defer any proposals for legislation in this area until I have considered fully the comments received in response to the consultative document.