§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) of 2 July 2002,Official Report, column 298W, on doctors (recuitment), which developing countries have Government to Government agreements with the UK; and if he will make a statement on the policy; [71048]
(2) pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox), of 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 298W, on doctors (recruitment), what action his Department will take against those (a) National Health Service employers and (b) recruitment agencies who are found to have targeted developing countries, which do not have a Government to Government agreement with the UK, for recruitment of health care personnel. [71047]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 18 July 2002]: The Code of Practice on international recruitment states that the National Health Service should not actively recruit in developing countries. International recruitment co-ordinators in the Workforce Development Confederations work with employers to ensure they comply to the entire Code of Practice.
The Department is currently compiling a list of recruitment agencies who comply to the Code of Practice and therefore do not actively recruit in developing countries. This list will be posted on the website for employers to use when entering into new recruitment contracts.
The only Government to Government agreement we have with a developing country to recruit doctors is with India. This agreement was reached following an approach by the Indian Government who were concerned with some of the actions of recruitment agencies who were operating in India.