HC Deb 28 February 1955 vol 537 cc1701-2
31. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the growing numbers of unemployed among British doctors, he will consult the Secretary of State for the Colonies regarding their being engaged in the service of Colonial Governments.

Mr. Iain Macleod

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and I already consult as necessary on the needs of the Colonial Governments for medical staff, and vacancies are, of course, publicly advertised in all appropriate cases. As regards medical manpower generally, the hon. Member will be aware of the terms of reference of the Committee whose establishment I announced a week ago.

Mr. Johnson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are 200 applications for each vacant job today in the United Kingdom? I she further aware that there are some 61,000 people per doctor in Nigeria and that things are worse in the Cameroons, where there is one doctor for every 71,000 of the population? Would the right hon. Gentleman ginger up matters and set up a working party to investigate the question of seconding doctors to the Colonies, particularly to West Africa?

Mr. Macleod

All posts are advertised and any doctor can apply. It is not within my competence—and I hope that the hon. Member does not seek to imply it—to direct doctors to go to any particular area. As to general matters of medical manpower, as the hon. Member knows, I have set up a committee.

Mr. Johnson

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that people in the Colonies think that the present scheme is not working? Will he not consider some financial inducement, perhaps a settlement scheme, to induce doctors to go out to the Colonies?

Mr. Macleod

The problem is largely one for the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and I will certainly bring to his notice the suggestion which the hon. Member has made.