To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of post-doctoral posts in medical and biological research remain unfilled at present.

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken by his Department to improve the career structure of post-doctoral researchers in medicine and biology; and if he will make a statement.

The terms of individual research contracts and the career structures available to post-doctoral researchers are matters for the employing institutions. The Government are, however, considering the recommendations of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils, contained in "A Strategy for the Science Base" calling for the more explicit management of research manpower in universities.