Do overseas graduates fail the MRCPsych exam more than indigenous graduates; if so, why? After passing the MRCPsych exam, do overseas graduates do less well in their career: if so, why? A trainees' forum was held at the College Quarterly Meeting in February 1985 to try to provide some answers to these questions. Professor Cawley (Chief Examiner) presented comparative data regarding failure in the MRCPsych. Dr Bhate (Chairman, Overseas Trainees' Sub-Committee, OTSC) gave preliminary results on the OTSC's career survey of all successful MRCPsych candidates from November 1981 and April 1982. Dr Julie Hollyman (Chairman, Collegiate Trainees' Committee, CTC) chaired the forum which was attended by an audience including examiners, consultants and trainees.

Members write to the College asking for guidance on planning services for psychiatric patients, and in particular on the desirable level of provision of hospital beds. At the request of the Executive and Finance Committee I am publishing the following information, based on a letter that I wrote to Regional Advisers.

The annual Trainees Day in the North West Division was held on 6 March 1985, at Winwick Hospital, Warrington, Cheshire. The meeting was attended by more than 60 trainees and psychiatric tutors from the Division.

Between 1977 and 1984 the pass rates for the Preliminary Test for UK/Eire candidates varied between 64% and 84% whilst those for overseas candidates were in the range 23% to 42%. Corresponding figures for the Membership Examination were 61% to 70% and 25% to 43% respectively. During those years overseas candidates were in the majority, comprising 60-65% of those taking the Preliminary Test and 50-55% of those taking the Membership Examination. Over the last two years the proportions have fallen to 40-50%.