§ 53. Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of Health what is the ratio of patients to doctors in the Hull Executive Council area; and how this ratio compares with the ratio of patients to doctors for the United Kingdom as a whole.
§ Mr. LoughlinThe average list at 1st October, 1965, was 2,703 for unrestricted principals working mainly in Hull, and 2,356 for the United Kingdom as a whole.
§ Mr. McNamaraWould my hon. Friend agree that these figures show quite a serious situation? Would he tell the House what steps he is taking to keep this situation under control?
§ Mr. LoughlinIt is a serious situation and we appreciate that Hull is under-doctored. The whole of Hull has now been designated as an under-doctored area, although, with the exception of the east part of Hull, it has not been so designated for three years. This is the only thing that we can do. There is no restriction on any doctor setting up practice in Hull.