asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the report of the committee now sitting to deal with merit awards for medical consultants.

I expect to receive a report within the next three months.

Is it not intolerable that this class of consultant should be left in such a state of uncertainty for so long?

This is entirely a professional matter. It has not been determined by me at all. It would have been even more intolerable if, by hasty action, the wrong people had been selected.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long this committee has been sitting, who is its chairman and what is the salary paid to him for a year?

If the hon. Member will put that question on the Order Paper I will try to give him a reply.