§ 21. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health what is the total number, and the total amount, of interest-free loans granted to group practices of doctors by the Group Practice Loans Committee for each year since its inception.
§ Miss PittThe total number of loans so far approved for England and Wales is 180, involving £900,940. With permission, I will circulate the figures for each year in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. PavittHaving regard to the figures given in answer to my Question 13 No. 20, that, for 21,000 general practitioners only fourteen health centres have been built, and, in view of the success of the group practice loan scheme, will the Minister consider extending the amount of money available for this purpose in the coming year and consider. also, not taking it out of the central pool?
§ Miss PittAny extension of the arrangements would have to be considered in the light of the Report of the Royal Commission on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration. The hon. Gentleman has a Question down about that matter.
§ Following are the figures:
| ENGLAND AND WALES | ||||
| — | Number of loans approved | Value of loans approved | ||
| £ | ||||
| 1954–5 | … | … | 39 | 173,170 |
| 1955–6 | … | … | 35 | 143,370 |
| 1956–7 | … | … | 720 | 92,630 |
| 1957–8 | … | … | 21 | 113,720 |
| 1958–9 | … | … | 29 | 168,770 |
| In 1959–60 the number of loans approved to date is 26 to the value of £209,280. |