To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many course organisers for general practitioner trainees were employed in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and for the most recent point in 1992; what was the cost of employing such course organisers; and to which part of the national health service budget these costs are charged.

The table gives the numbers of course organisers employed in 1990 and 1991. Figures for 1988, 1989 and 1992 are not available.

	Course organisers (England)
1 October 1990	326
1 October 1991	330

The twenty-second report of the Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration estimated that the cost of employing 368 course organisers in England and Wales was £1·56 million per annum. The cost of employing course organisers is at present part of the general medical services budget. In line with the recommendation of the review body, this sum will be transferred to a medical education budget in April this year.