§ 47. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the increasing numbers of established doctors who are leaving general practice under the National Health Service to emigrate overseas; and whether he will make appropriate inquiries into this trend.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have no reliable evidence of any increase in the emigration of general practitioners but will gladly study any which my hon. Friend can produce. Information on the emigration of doctors and dentists generally submitted by the Government to the Royal Commission is published in the Commission's Minutes of Evidence 14–15 for 17th–18th April, 1958.
§ Dr. JohnsonIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there was a feature last week in the British Medical Journal which shows this trend and, if I send it to him, will he kindly give it his consideration?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI shall always be glad to study any evidence which my hon. Friend produces.
§ Mr. TilneyWould my right hon. and learned Friend agree that if this migration is to parts of the Commonwealth which are short of doctors, such emigration, whether permanent or on a temporary secondment basis, should be encouraged by his Department?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, of course, Sir. My specific statutory responsibility is to provide a National Health Service in this country, but I am not unmindful of the considerations to which my hon. Friend has properly referred.