Consultants' Contract

Mr. Syms
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the Central Consultants and Specialists Committee of the British Medical Association to discuss the Government's proposals for a consultants' contract; and if he will make a statement. [125035]

Mr. Hutton
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of the British Medical Association on 17 July 2003 when it was announced that talks had successfully concluded with an agreed way forward on the new consultant contract.