asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many medical advisers have been in post at her Department during the last five years; and in what special fields.

There are no posts for medical advisers. However, some 46 consultant advisers to the chief medical officer, all of whom are leaders in their chosen field, are appointed usually for periods of three years to provide expert advice not only on specific issues referred to them by the Department but on all aspects of their particular specialty. They receive very small honoraria which are quite unrelated to the amount of time they give. Staffing figures of consultant advisers for the last five years are not available.