§ 55. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what circumstances National Health Service consultants can be contracted only on a whole-time basis; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephUnder the terms of my Department's agreement with the profession's representatives, where a new appointment is being made, unless the board decides that the needs of the hospital service demand a whole-time appointment, the competition should be open to all applicants who are prepared to give substantially the whole of their time to the post, whether they prefer a whole-time or a maximum part-time contract.