HC Deb 23 July 1968 vol 769 c94W
Mr. Roebuck

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will give details of the shortages of naval medical staff.

Dr. David Owen

The present position is:—

Establishment Bearing Deficiency
Medical officers 361 313 48
Medical Branch ratings 1,297 1,152 145
Q.A.R.N.N.S. Nurses 400 367 33

It is relevant that, even allowing for reductions of complements to match the rundown of the Royal Navy, recruitment of both medical officers and medical ratings is still not satisfactory.