HC Deb 26 June 1967 vol 749 cc70-2
33. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of accommodation units for married doctors resident in those London teaching hospitals where major rebuilding has been taking place and the total number of the increase of such units over those available before rebuilding.

Mr. K. Robinson

Thirty-three and 32, on the assumption that major rebuilding comprises completed schemes costing £1 million or more, of which there have been four.

Mr. Pavitt

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that this is totally inadequate and that there is extreme difficulty for junior hospital doctors in the London area, because of the high level of rents, when they are resident at the hospital and have to be on call? Further, is he aware that I have a mass of information from throughout the country showing that emigration of doctors is being increased because of this lack of facility? Will he do something about it?

Mr. Robinson

I have no evidence such as that spoken of by my hon. Friend that emigration of doctors is increasing on this account or on any other. I think that there is a slight misunderstanding here. I answered the Question which my hon. Friend put down, which was limited to those hospitals in which there had been major rebuilding. It is often quicker to provide additional accommodation as a separate exercise rather than in the course of major rebuilding. This is how the extra accommodation to which I referred in my Answer was provided.

Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a grave problem here for all Metropolitan hospitals, and will be consider, as a Departmental exercise, enlisting the support of the National Housing Corporation, to see whether it can help to meet this serious need?

Mr. Robinson

I know that there are difficulties, and I shall consider the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion. But I should like there to be no doubt here: it is my policy to encourage the provision of addi- tional accommodation for married resident doctors.

Mr. Pavitt

I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment.