§ 121. Mr. Gourlayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names and the positions held in the National Health Service of the members of the committee which decides who will be the recipients and the value of the merit awards and state criteria used to determine the value of each award and whether there is a limit to the total amount paid in merit awards each year.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe information is as follows:
125WThere is a present a vacancy for a Vice-Chairman of the Committee in place of Sir John Macpherson who died recently.
In making its recommendations as to which of the four categories of award should be granted in each particular case, the Advisory Committee has regard to special contributions to medicine in the field of research or otherwise, exceptional ability, or outstanding professional work. The numbers and monetary values of the awards are recommended by the independent Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration, and the total amount paid in awards each year reflects those numbers and values.