§ 38. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health what total reduction in the medical staffs of teaching and non-teaching hospitals he anticipates during the current financial year.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI cannot predict the results of the special review of medical staff which I have asked hospital authorities to make.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the registrars, of which he must know the number, are likely to go out of practice during the next 12 months?
§ Mr. MacleodThere is no particular pressure being put on my Department in that matter, although it is a difficult one. If the hon. Gentleman likes to put a special Question down about registrars I shall give him all the information I can.
§ Dr. StrossIs the Minister not aware that many hospitals are finding difficulty in obtaining junior registrars? Has he considered what he could do to help them so that men in senior appointments have the necessary help to carry on their work?
§ Mr. MacleodThe figures for junior registrars have been for some time very closely in accordance with the planned schedule laid down by the Socialist Gov- 368 ernment. There are difficulties there, but the total number of specialist posts becoming available is, unhappily, not as high as was hoped when it was laid down.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCan the right hon. Gentleman explain, then, how it is that there has been a very big drop in the provision made in the estimates for medical staff of the teaching and the non-teaching hospitals?
§ Mr. MacleodThe hon. Member is fallaciously comparing this year's estimates with last year's estimates instead of last year's outlay. There has, in fact, been no change.