§ 12. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to overcome the shortage of practising general medical practitioners and dental surgeons; and what is being done to encourage prospective students, whose financial resources are inadequate, to take the necessary courses of training.
§ Mr. BevanAll training facilities are at present fully occupied. Very substantial assistance is given both by the Ministry of Education and the local education authorities to assist students to take the necessary courses of training.
§ Mr. SparksDoes my right hon. Friend believe that the rate of inflow into these professions at the present time is sufficient to indicate that this problem is likely to be overcome in the near future?
§ Mr. BevanI can form no estimate at the moment because we do not yet know what are the needs of the community. After the Health Scheme has been running for probably another year we can form a more realistic estimate of the needs.