§ Mr. COSTELLOasked the Minister of Health what is the total number of medical officers of health employed by local authorities in England and Wales; what is the total number of assistant medical officers of health and school medical officers so employed; how many of these are men and how many women; and in how many cases, during the past 12 months, upon vacancies arising for assistant medical officers in posts held by women, the women have been replaced by men?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe total number of medical officers of health employed by local authorities in England and Wales is 1,455, all of whom are men. I have not complete information as to the numbers or assistant medical officers of health, but the available records indicate that the number of such officers in England giving whole or part time to Maternity and Child Welfare services is 227, of whom approximately half are women; to tuberculosis services 76, of whom nine are women; to venereal disease services 42, of whom 12 are women. Many assistant medical officers of health are engaged on more than one service, and, therefore, these figures are not mutually exclusive; nor do they include certain medical officers appointed wholly for special services. Corresponding figures are not available as to Wales. There are employed in England and Wales 317 school medical officers and 710 assistant school 2147W medical officers; of these 826 are men and 201 are women. 286 school medical officers and 341 assistant school medical officers also carry out public health duties. During the last 12 months I am aware of one vacancy in the post of assistant medical officer of health and one in the post of assistant school medical officer previously held by women which have been filled by men.