§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Government are making in their target of reducing to 56 by 31 December the number of hours worked weekly by junior doctors. [8804]
§ Mr. MaloneSteady progress is being made in reaching the ceiling of 56 hours average weekly working hours for junior doctors. This target is contained in the "New Deal on Junior Doctors' Hours", copies of which area available in the Library. At 30 September 1996 regional task forces reported that 22,221 junior doctors, or 78.4 per cent. of all juniors, were complying in full with all the new deal hours limits, including the 56-hour ceiling.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals his Department has made to alter the target of 56 hours to be worked weekly by junior doctors by 31 December. [8805]
§ Mr. MaloneI have no proposals to change the target of 56 hours maximum average weekly hours of work contained in the "New Deal on Junior Doctors' Hours", copies of which are available in the Library. I have made it clear that the Government have a strong commitment to action to bring all junior doctors within this ceiling.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the recent NHS executive internal report on junior doctors' hours. [8807]
§ Mr. MaloneNo. The report concerned is an internal discussion paper and as such is covered by exemption 2 part II of the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Internal Advice)".