§ 35. Mr. Bowdenasked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the present salary scales are sufficiently attractive to encourage young doctors to enter hospital service rather than enter general practice.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe salaries of hospital medical staff are a matter for the Medical Whitley Council in the first instance; but I know that the need to keep a proper balance in recruitment was an important factor in the agreement on increased salaries reached by the Council a year ago.
§ Mr. BowdenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the difficulties which are experienced by many hospitals in the provinces in obtaining and recruiting junior medical staff?
§ Mr. MacleodIndeed I am. It would be a mistake, however, to link those difficulties entirely with problems of pay. In many cases they arise because the hospitals are remote or unattractive in themselves. As far as pay is concerned, 1711 the agreement last year did a good deal to restore the balance which was upset by the Danckwerts award.
§ Mr. SnowIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it would be a very great pity indeed if the provision of practitioners for the countryside were in any way jeopardised? Is he aware that there are still many rural areas under-doctored?
§ Mr. MacleodYes, Sir.