§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will issue a circular to family health services authorities advising them of the importance of seeking the views of local medical committees prior to appointing medical services committees; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the proportion of overseas qualified doctors on medical services committees; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) Regulations 1974 (S.I. 1974 No. 455) provide that local medical committees shall appoint the medical members of medical service committees and that if dissatisfied with the appointment of the lay chairman, they may require the family health services authority to refer the matter to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Information is not available centrally on the representation on medical service 119W committees of doctors qualified overseas. Guidance on the constitution of service committees and the appointment of members was included in letters FPCL190/90 and FPCL(W)83/90 issued to health authorities in September 1990. Copies of the letters have been placed in the Library.