§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that there will be sufficient pre-registration house officer posts for the increased number of medical students graduating this summer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleLast year, health authorities were set targets for the number of such posts each region should make available year by year over the next five years to match the growing number of medical graduates and to provide a 5 per cent. surplus to give flexibility and some measure of choice. I am pleased to report that the number of available posts in England this summer exceeded the target. Moreover, the arrangements made by the 281W Council for Postgraduate Medical Education for a "safety net" to help put graduates seeking posts in touch with vacant posts have proved very effective. At the last count, the council knew of 46 graduates looking for posts and was able to provide information about 168 vacant posts, 10 of which were in the Thames regions.