§ 45. Mr. Goodhartasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of qualified doctors in this country by 1970.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine) on 24th October.—[Vol. 734, c. 622–3.]
§ Mr. GoodhartHow does the Minister expect to increase the supply of doctors when the morale of clinical teachers has been shattered by the mishandling of their salary claim? Can the Minister give an assurance that the just claim of the clinical teachers will be met by the end of July?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am sure that the hon. Member knows that that is a question for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.
§ Mr. BraineYes, but I think that the House would like to know whether the right hon. Gentleman, whose heart is in the right place on this issue, I am sure, is making the strongest possible representations because, as my hon. Friend said, unless young clinical teachers are encouraged to remain in the medical schools the medical schools will not be able to turn out the number of doctors we need by 1970. It is as simple as that.
§ Mr. RobinsonI am sure that the hon. Gentleman, who has been a Minister, knows that discussions and representations between Ministers are not made public in the House.