§ Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health how many clinical assistantships or other hospital appointments are held by general practitioners; what increase there has been in such appointments; and what encouragement is being given to regional hospital boards and management committees to make such appointments in suitable cases.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodAt 31st December, 1953, the latest date for which figures are available, the figure was 5,876 (excluding honorary appointments but including practitioners remunerated from bed funds) an increase of some 50 per cent. over 31st December, 1949. I have no reason to suppose that hospital authorities are in any doubt as to my views on the advantages to be derived from such appointments in suitable cases.