asked the Minister of Health whether any interim report will be issued to the House on the progress of negotiations with the negotiating committee of the medical profession; and when this interim report can be expected.

No, Sir. I anticipate that these negotiations will remain confidential until the outcome is known.

Can the Minister give an assurance to the House that, if at some future date an interim report is received, it will be first circulated to hon. Members of the House, rather than issued for private circulation among the 55,000 medically qualified members of the public ?

These are negotiations with the profession about the conditions on which they propose to serve in a national service. They do not directly concern hon. Members of the House, except in their medical capacities. For instance, 11 there were negotiations going on between the Government and members of the Civil Service on conditions of employment, the decision would not be first announced to the House of Commons. This is essentially a matter for the medical profession in the first instance, and afterwards for the House, if it so wishes.