§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service consultants and of which specialties are taking advantage of the opportunity to earn a 10 per cent. increase in their 164W National Health Service salaries by working in the private sector; and how the level of private work in these cases is monitored by his Department.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeA whole-time consultant must certify annually that his gross income from private practice does not exceed 10 per cent. of his gross NHS salary. Exceptionally, an employing authority considering that it has grounds for seeking fuller information may call for fully audited accounts. Provided that the 10 per cent. limit is not exceeded, private practice is a matter solely for the doctor concerned and he is not required to inform the authority whether he actually earns any money from such work. Therefore the detailed information requested is not available.