asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will not ratify any new agreement regarding the terms of service for whole-time or part-time hospital consultants and specialists until such time as Parliament gives its approval.

The terms and conditions of service of hospital consultants are a matter for negotiation between the Government and the representatives of the medical profession. In the course of the current negotiations on a new form of consultant contract I have emphasised that any new contract must fully reflect the value we place on whole-time commitment to the National Health Service. I shall continue to do so, and will certainly inform the House before a new contract takes effect.