§ 2.47 p.m.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make on the action that they propose to take on the Todd Report on Medical Education.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD KENNET)My Lords, On April 14 my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services announced in the House of Commons the Government's decision to increase by 1,000 the places at medical schools by 1975. He also said that he would make further announcements later about the other recommendations of the Todd Report.
The Government have now completed consultations on the Report's proposals for post-graduate medical education, and my right honourable friend will make a Statement as soon as he can. Discussions 1055 between the University Grants Committee, the University of London and the Health Department are continuing and will be extended to the appropriate hospital interests. My right honourable friend also hopes to make an early announcement on the progress of these discussions.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for that reply, which I think will go some way towards smoothing over a certain amount of worrying about what has been going on in regard to this Report.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, in view of the fact that this Report was made nearly two years ago and that it involved a tremendous amount of work, may I press my noble friend to make some Statement with regard to the other recommendations as soon as possible?
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, my right honourable friend is well aware that his Statement is urgently awaited, and there is no avoidable delay going on.