§ 78. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health how many ex-Service doctors are unable to obtain employment in general practice; and if he will make a statement as to the provision of employment for such doctors until the National Health Service Act comes into operation.
§ Mr. BevanI regret I have not the information requested in the first part of the Question. Ex-Service general practitioners can take the hospital posts and refresher courses available under the Government's Postgraduate Scheme, and it is then open to them to buy or open a practice or to seek assistantships or other appropriate employment in the usual way during the interim.
§ Mr. HastingsIs my right hon. Friend aware of the great difficulty there is among doctors in obtaining assistantships at the present time?
§ Mr. BevanYes, I am aware that there is a difficulty. It is a difficulty which always arises immediately before great changes are made. We are doing our best to mitigate the hardships where we can.