We have now had reports of 2 private clinics being offered the chance to "sponsor" the Parliamentary Yearbook.

The telephone salesperson claimed to each of the clinics in turn that they were selected as one of only 6 institutions - the first quoted was Great Ormond Street Hospital and then 4 other institutions were named.

The sales person then stated that "your clinic" has been identified as being the possible 6th.

They then explained how influential inclusion on the book can be - as it should contain the health report by Lord Darzi.

Fortunately, 2 clinics owners happened to be talking and realised they had both been offered the same sponsorship deal for 500 or 1000 words for approx £4,000 - and had both been told they were the last of only 6.

We have made several phone calls to find out what is going on and have met with several evasive responses - including "Great Ormond Street had pulled out", then "actually we are considering increasing it to 8" and most recently owning up to they were considering 50 sponsors.

It is clear that private clinics are being targetted for the promise of influential sponsorship. However it would appear sensible to get a written guarantee of what the sales person said and what is being given in return, before parting with any money at all.