To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants in rehabilitation medicine were appointed, and salaries ring-fenced, by the Disablement Services Authority; how many are still in post; and if he will make a statement.

The latest figures available show that, by 30 September 1990, 11 consultants in rehabilitation medicine had been appointed and are still in post. The remainder of these 40 newly created posts were expected to be filled by the middle of 1991, mainly by medical officers working within disablement services. Resources for disablement services are ring-fenced within total health authority cash limits for the two years, 1991–92 to 1992–93; salary costs for consultants in rehabilitation medicine are included within these ring-fenced allocations.