§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many applicants, particularly those of assistant status, are dissatisfied with the present methods of selection exercised by executive councils in the filling of general practice vacancies; and, in view of the fact that the number of applicants for such vacancies is considerably in excess of the available vacancies, if he will instruct executive councils to have scrupulous regard to procedures of selection so that all applicants are satisfied that they have had a fair chance of selection.
75W
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe selection of candidates for advertised vacancies is the responsibility of the Medical Practices Committee. The Committee is constantly in touch with executive councils, who usually make the preliminary selection and who are well aware that their procedure must satisfy the Committee.
Any applicant for an advertised vacancy, whether assistant or principal, may appeal to me against the decision of the Medical Practices Committee. The appeals I receive suggest that appellants are usually dissatisfied not with the procedure of selection but rather with the fact that they themselves were not chosen.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health how many general practice vacancies were filled by executive councils during 1955 and 1956; and how many of these vacancies were granted to doctors who had previously practised as principals, as principals in the same executive council area, and as assistants in the same executive council area, respectively.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe figures for single handed practices declared vacant by executive councils in England and Wales are as follows:
1955 1956 No. of vacancies 114 114 No. filled by principals 34 26 No. filled by principals in same executive council area 21 15 No. filled by assistants in same executive council area 16 14