§ Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for Social Services following his decision to close Cosford Hospital and his expectation as a result of a considerable increase in the number of surgical 698W clinics needed in the Shropshire area, what action he proposes to take as a result of the Salop area health authority's inability to fill surgical posts both senior and junior; and to what he attributes this inability.
§ Mr. MoyleAn additional consultant surgeon post has been offered to the Salop area health authority. The authority has not taken up this post because it considers that additional junior surgical staff are needed in support. I have written to the authority pointing out that registrar and senior registrar grades are training grades, not service grades, and urging the authority to take up the post. I expect to discuss this issue with the chairman and members of the authority next month and will keep the hon. Member informed of developments.