§ 31. Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Health how much his Department contributes annually to post-graduate medical education and research for doctors; and whether he will consider increasing this contribution.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonExpenditure on post-graduate medical education is rising all the time. In addition to the sums provided by hospital boards from their revenue and capital allocations, information about which is not collected centrally, my Department made a direct contribution of about £240,000 in 1966–67. As to research, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to him of 17th April.—[Vol. 745, c. 11.]
§ Mr. FisherWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that the more opportunities that doctors can be given for post-graduate self-education and keeping up to date, the less will be the need for Professor MacGregor's advice on prescribing and the less money will be needed to be spent by pharmaceutical companies on promotion?
§ Mr. RobinsonI attach great importance to the development of post-graduate medical education and I am sure that 1034 what the hon. Gentleman suggests would have some, but not all, the virtues he considers would derive therefrom.