§ 65. Sir G. Sinclairasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of the issue, during the first four months of the year, of 1,135 category B vouchers for doctors, including 893 from India and 174 from Pakistan, what progress he is making in furtherance of his policy of making the hospital service less dependent on the services of doctors from overseas.
§ Mr. CrossmanI announced on 14th April that the intake capacity of British medical schools is to be increased from its present level of 2,700 to 3,700 by 1975, the number suggested by the Royal Commission on Medical Education as the highest practicable target. I recognise the desirability of keeping the flow of overseas doctors in step with the essential needs of the National Health Service, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and productivity4W and I are keeping the issue of vouchers under close review.—[Vol. 781, c. 806–810.]