§ Mr. Tom HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards renegotiating NHS consultants' contracts. [58868]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Government's proposals for the new consultant contract were published in February 2001 and these, alongside the British Medical Association's own proposals, form the basis of continuing negotiations. We have discussed a range of issues and options in the negotiations and we are aiming to be able to announce progress shortly.