§ 39. Mr. MacArthurasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of principals and assistants in general practice in October 1964, October 1965, and October 1966, respectively.
§ Mr. Millan2,790, 2,728, and 2,673, respectively. These figures exclude trainee assistants. The last figure is provisional.
§ Mr. MacArthurIs the hon. Gentleman aware that those figures confirm what my hon. Friend the Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne) was saying a moment ago? Is he aware that this is a serious decline, that it reflects the high burden of taxation on doctors and the professional classes generally, and that it also reflects the Government's muddled priorities in the Health Service?
§ Mr. MillanAny decline in the number of doctors in general practice is a serious matter, although the reasons for this decline are many, including the failure of previous Conservative Administrations to extend the medical schools 1412 sufficiently. Indeed, at one time hon. Gentlemen opposite put the process of extending the medical schools in reverse. We are now paying the penalty for that.