§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of Health (1) what is the average yearly increase for the total number of consultants in mental health for the last 10 years; and how this average compares with the average increase for consultants in the rust of the health service, and specifically in medicine and surgery;
(2) what is the average yearly increase for the total number of senior registrars in mental health for the last 10 years; and how this average compares with the average increase for senior registrars in the rest of the health service, and specifically in medicine and surgery.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonComparable figures are not available for the whole of the last 10 years. Average yearly increases in England and Wales for the period 1st July, 1959 to 30th September, 1967 were as follows:
Average yearly increase Number✶ As a percentage of the number in post at 1st July, 1959 Consultants per cent. All Specialties 280 4.0 Mental Health† 46 7.3 Medical Specialties 66 3.8 Surgical Specialties 52 2.2 Senior Registrars All Specialties 48 4.6 Mental Health† 11 8.2 Medical Specialties 7 2.9 Surgical Specialties 13 3.3 Notes:
✶ Locums are excluded.
† Comprises mental subnormality and severe subnormality, mental illness and mental illness in children.