HC Deb 02 February 1989 vol 146 cc381-2W
43. Mr. Flannery

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many doctors are retained by police on a part-time basis to act as police surgeons attending to victims of crime and scenes of crime; and what was the position three and five years ago.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Police surgeons are appointed by police authorities and no central record is maintained.

46. Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on present arrangements for the work of police surgeons.

48. Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to alter the arrangements under which general practitioners work as part-time police surgeons.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Police surgeons are appointed by police authorities. The joint negotiating committee for the fees of doctors assisting local authorities issues national guidance about their conditions of service. But the onus rests with individual police authorities to ensure that suitable arrangements are made to secure the necessary coverage by police surgeons within the force area.