§ Mr. StephenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the publication date of the fourth report of the steering group on undergraduate medical and dental education and research; and if he will make a statement. [21702]
§ Mr. DorrellI am pleased to announce that the fourth report of the steering group on undergraduate medical and dental education and research is published today, and copies will be placed in the Library. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and I welcome and endorse the report.
The steering group brings together all the main bodies involved in the management of undergraduate medical and dental education and research, and we are grateful to the representatives of these bodies who have served on the group.
80WClose co-operation between the national health service and the universities is essential for the successful management of medical and dental education and research. The report acknowledges and welcomes the close co-operation that already exists between the NHS and the universities and explores how this can be further developed. It includes a revision of the 10 key principles which help to define the shared goals of the two parties.