§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the department of postgraduate medicine at the University hospital of Wales is expected to take over responsibility for all appointments to the specialist registrar grade; if pay arrangements for all specialist registrars are to be centrally funded; and what representations he has received from NHS trusts in Wales and the Department of postgraduate medicine concerning payment arrangements for(a) this grade and (b) other junior medical staff. [30191]
§ Mr. HagueThe postgraduate department started taking over the responsibility for operating the appointments procedures for the specialist registrar grade on 1 December 1995 in line with the timetable for commissioning the new grade in each speciality. There is 100 per cent. central funding available, in the first year only, for additional posts and thereafter the postgraduate department will continue to fund 50 per cent. of the salary 65W costs. Discussions take place with NHS trusts and the postgraduate department as part of the management of these arrangements for all junior medical staff.