§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to announce the names of the health districts which are to get extra consultants; what criteria are being used for the allocation of the 100 posts; which authorities have applied for extra consultants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe wrote to health authorities on 13 April inviting them to submit bids for the 100 extra consultant posts announced in "Working for Patients" by 31 July 1989. We expect to notify authorities of successful bids in October. I refer the right hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Sir J. Farr) on 7 March, at column487, for the criteria which will be used in allocating the posts.