19. Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average number of patients per principal doctor providing general medical services in Scotland at the latest available date, and at the corresponding date in 1964.
The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Bruce Milan)On 1st October last the average was 2,086, compared with 2,005 in 1964.
Mr. BakerCan the Joint Under-Secretary say whether the position is worse in country districts rather than urban districts, and can he also say what proportion is from abroad?
§ Mr. MillanBy and large the lists in country districts are lower than in urban districts, as they obviously ought to be. The Scottish position is very much better than that in England because there the average list is about 350 more than it is in Scotland. If the hon. Gentleman would like to put down a Question about the second part of his supplementary question I will answer it.
§ Mr. MacArthurIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these figures reflect the fact that the number of principal doctors in Scotland is still considerably lower than it was in 1964? What steps does he propose to reverse this trend?
§ Mr. MillanI am glad to inform the hon. Gentleman and the House that the trend has been reversed and that the decline, which started before 1964, has been halted. The position has been stabilised as from 1966.