HC Deb 12 December 1989 vol 163 cc615-6W
98. Mr. Gerald Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors are employed by the National Health Service now and in 1979.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The numbers are as follows:

England Number
1979 61,554
1988 70,866

Includes permanent paid and honorary staff. Excludes hospital practitioners and para 94 appointments in the hospital and community health services (clinical assistants) and includes GPs.