HC Deb 07 March 1955 vol 538 cc28-9
30. Mr. Brockway

asked the Minister of Health if he will request the committee which he has set up to consider medical manpower problems to consider the question of recruitment in relation to colonial needs as well as to the needs of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The committee's terms of reference cover all branches of the profession, and it will therefore take account of doctors who go overseas as well as those who remain in this country.

Mr. Brockway

In view of the fact that there is an urgent need for doctors in the Colonies—where often there is only one doctor for 30,000 people, compared with one doctor for 1,000 people in this country—will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Secretary of State for the Colonies with a view to seeing that opportunities are made available both for British citizens and colonial subjects to enter medical schools for this purpose?

Mr. Macleod

Yes. I am in touch with my right hon. Friend upon that matter. The medical committee which has been set up will be concerned only with medical training in this country, but it must take into account all the possible places to which qualified doctors may go from their universities, and that includes the Colonies.

Mr. J. Johnson

Is the Minister aware that the only permanent solution to this problem is to expand the medical faculties at Ibadan, Makerere and all universities in the Colonies? Will he use his good offices with the Secretary of State for the Colonies and do something in this matter?

Mr. Macleod

That is not a question for me in the first instance.