20. Dr. Jegerasked the Minister of Health how the recipients of merit awards are chosen among specialists under the National Health Service Act; and how many awards have been made each year since the system was instituted.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodAwards are made on the recommendations of an Advisory Committee. As many as 1,740 awards were made in England and Wales for 1948–49; 439 new or higher ones for 1950 and 229 for 1951. Recommendations have not yet been received for 1952.
§ Mr. MacleodThe Advisory Committee has a professional chairman, who is Lord Moran, and a lay vice-chairman. There are representatives on it of the 553 Medical Research Council, the universities, the Royal Colleges, and the Scottish Royal Corporations. If the hon. Member would like a detailed list of the names, perhaps he would put down a Question.
§ Mr. HastingsDoes the same Committee deal with all branches of consultants?
§ Mr. MacleodThe same Committee does deal with them, but, of course, it could take advice as it wishes within its terms of reference.
§ 34. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health the total number of full-time specialists employed in the National Health Service at the latest available date, as compared with the number 12 months previously.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThere were 2,149 whole-time consultants and senior hospital medical and dental officers at the end of 1950 and 2,445 a year later.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs the Minister aware that this will give some satisfaction because of the rather anxious reports which have been put out by many full-time consultants that there has been a great falling away of that service? But, nevertheless, is he aware that it is very much more costly to encourage recruiting of part-time specialists than to encourage further full-time appointments?
§ Mr. MacleodThose figures only take us up to a little more than a year ago. I have not the 1952 figures—which will be interesting—but I hope to have them by about the end of the month.