HC Deb 08 June 2004 vol 422 cc361-2W
Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has given to hospital trusts on training of overseas doctors in English language skills. [177463]

Mr. Hutton

The Department's guidance, "Health Service Circular 1999/137: Employment of European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals", which is available in the Library, makes clear that it is the responsibility of employers to ensure that all staff have the necessary language skills to carry out their duties safely, regardless of which country they come from.