§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many private doctors are approved by the Health and Safety Executive for the purposes of conducting medical examinations under the various statutory provisions.
§ Mr. WaddingtonAt present 688 doctors hold certificates of appointment to conduct periodic medical examinations under the relevant statutory provisions.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Health and Safety Executive has at any time received comments from the Comptroller and Auditor General, following his examination of its accounts, expressing concern at the level of fees charged for medical examinations.
§ Mr. WaddingtonYes. In 1976, an Exchequer and Audit Department reference sheet observed that the fees for the Employment Medical Advisory Service had not been raised since 1971. Since then there have been two increases and the fees are now set at a level so as to recover the full economic cost of the service to the Health and Safety Executive.