asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will consider the appointment of a further geriatric consultant in the Salford (Teaching) Area Health Authority as a matter of urgency both to supply a surgical need and provide extra academic facilities; and if she will make a statement.

It is for regional health authorities to determine how the approvals for additional posts are allocated to them should be apportioned between areas. Any special request from the region for an additional approval would certainly be reviewed with the Central Manpower Committee, though the recruitment situation has not improved. The question of academic facilities is primarily a matter for discussion with the university concerned.