To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received relating to his proposal to remove the contract of small registrars and small senior registrars from the regional health authority to national health service trusts. [36742]
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received letters from representatives of senior and junior doctors about our plans for junior doctors' contracts. He met with them on 13 July and emphasised Ministers' commitment to ensuring that the high standards of medical education and training are maintained. A package of safeguards has been developed that will protect the continuity and high quality of training programmes. Guidance to the service is now being worked up in conjunction with the medical profession.