HC Deb 17 December 1962 vol 669 cc870-1
7. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Health how far the number of medical students in British universities in the years 1960–61 and 1961–62 fell short of his estimates for student doctors in those years.

Mr. Powell

I have made no such estimates.

Mr. Boyden

Is it not the situation that the universities could have taken more students in these years? Is the right hon. Gentleman preparing for a considerable expansion in the number of students in medical schools in the coming years when the number of students available from State schools will be much higher than it is now?

Mr. Powell

Questions of student expansion are not for me, but the hon. Member and the House will be glad to know that the number of British students of medicine entering our universities increased last autumn by 6 per cent. and this autumn by 8 per cent.

Mr. K. Robinson

Since almost everybody, except, possibly, the Minister, agrees that we need a considerable increase in the number of doctors in the National Health Service, has the right hon. Gentleman had any discussions with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education on the prospects of opening new medical schools in the foreseeable future, and with what results?

Mr. Powell

I do not think that it is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education. As the hon. Member will know, the Government have discussed with the University Grants Committee the conclusion about the increase of medical intake which was announced to the House last year, but the trend of the intake at present is very sharply upwards.