§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the establishment is for each branch of consultant in the Defence Medical Services; how many are serving in each branch; and what percentage shortfall there is in each case. [155002]
§ Dr. MoonieThe number of consultants against the operational and retained task requirement and the percentage of posts not filled as at 1 January 2001, is shown in the table:
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Consultant speciality Operational and retained task Current manning—consultants including those in command and staff posts Percentage shortfall Haematologist 4 1 75 Histopathology 0 1 — Microbiology 6 3 50 Occupational Medicine 50 31 38 Public Health 1 7 0 Dental Restorative 0 1 — 1 This speciality is being re-established in the regular Defence Medical Services