§ 30. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there were thirty-five doctors in receipt of unemployment benefit on 19th March, 1956; and if he will consult with the Minister of Health, with a view to the solution of this problem.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Mr. Robert Carr)Yes, Sir, but my right hon. Friend does not consider that any special consultation with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is necessary. The number is very small in relation to the total number of doctors and in most cases benefit had been drawn for a few weeks only.
§ Dr. JohnsonWill my hon. Friend, nevertheless, keep this figure under review, with a view to reporting to the Ministry of Health because, small though it is, the figure represents a very intractable form of unemployment amongst doctors? There is a very much larger number of doctors unemployed than is represented by that figure.
§ Mr. CarrSixteen of the thirty-five have been on benefit for fewer than six weeks and only a few for a longer period, but I assure my hon. Friend that we are giving this matter the closest attention.
§ Mr. HastingsCan the Parliamentary Secretary say how many of these doctors were sound both mentally and physically, and capable of carrying on their profession in the usual way?