§ Mr. Sean HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the criteria used when exercising the right of choice between different nominations from local authorities for a family practitioner committee.
§ Mr. MellorIn appointing members of family practitioner committees our overriding aim is to find suitable candidates for the job. We also seek to achieve a balanced representation among members of age, sex, geographical spread, professional and other experience. In the case of the local authority vacancies arising on 1 April 1989, neither St. Helens metropolitan borough council nor Knowsley metropolitan borough council offered, at first, a choice of candidates. I am glad to say that St. Helens MBC has this week offered a choice and I hope to make an appointment very shortly.