§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many unqualified medical students are employed in the hospitals of Wales; what are their average hours of work; what are their average pay and conditions; how many fully-qualified medical practitioners they replace; and if he will break down the figures if possible for each of the health authorities.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsMy Department does not keep information on the numbers of unqualified medical students employed in hospitals in Wales or on their average hours of work. When they are employed as voluntary assistants on a temporary basis they are paid an honorarium equivalent to one-half of the basic rate of a house officer on the minimum point of the scale. They are not registered medical practitioners and cannot be called upon to act as such.