HC Deb 12 May 1959 vol 605 cc1034-5
34 Mr. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultants there are in the National Health Service in Scotland at the latest date; how many of these are full time, and how many part time; and what were the respective figures for 1952, 1954, 1956, and 1957.

Mr. J. N. Browne

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL, REPORT.

Mr. Ross

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will do more than that. Will he promise that next year's Report will give us, as in the past, a much better idea of how the Health Service is working and that he will not cheesepare by cutting out these tables in the way he has done this year?

Mr. Browne

I am aware of that, but the hon. Member knows that more comprehensive statistical information about the National Health Service will be published separately from the Department's Annual Report. The first statistical publication should be available towards the end of the summer. I am aware of the hon. Member's views and of the assurances which I have already given to him to look into the matter.

Following is the reply:

At 31st December, 1958, there were 370 whole-time consultants and 425 part-time consultants. There are also 143 consultants who are university staff: most of these are whole-time staff. The comparable figures for 1952, 1954, 1956 and 1957 are as follows:

Whole-time Part-time University
31st December, 1952 268 378 104
31st December, 1954 328 394 113
31st December, 1956 365 413 136
31st December, 1957 367 426 141