§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services why consultants holding part-time contracts with the National Health Service are allowed to include time spent travelling between home and hospital or clinic as part of their working hours.
§ Mr. NewtonBecause this was agreed in 1949 as part of the hospital medical and dental staff terms and conditions of service, which are subject to negotiation between the health departments and the professions.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what percentage of consultants were employed full time within the National Health Service for each year since 1979;
(2) what percentage of consultants employed within the National Health Service held maximum part-time contracts for each year since 1979.
§ Mr. NewtonThe latest available information is set out in the table.
Permanent paid NHS Consultants (Medical and Dental) at 30 September, England Whole time and maximum part-time staff as a percentage of all Consultants (Numbers) Whole time Maximum part-time 1979 41 26 1980 43 34 1981 44 33 1982 46 33 1983 47 32 1984 47 32 1985 46 33 1986 46 33 NotePercentages rounded to the nearest whole number.