§ 62. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements he proposes, in view of the pre-registration posts being fewer than the number of medical students now qualifying, to enable those qualified to become registered.
§ 65. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why many medical students after five years of successful study fail to obtain pre-registration house jobs; and what action is being taken by his Department in this matter.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe number of pre-registration posts in Great Britain listed by the General Medical Council is between 2,900 and 3,000 while the number of medical students graduating is at present about 2,200 a year.
A few students graduating in this country have nevertheless experienced difficulty in finding posts partly because some of the designated posts are filled by fully registered doctors and partly because some overseas doctors are required by the General Medical Council to undertake such posts.
159WI am fully aware of the importance of ensuring that the number of these posts, which are designated by the Universities, is adequate. The responsible University authorities have been asked to increase the number, and I understand they will do so. In addition, my Department has asked hospital authorities to give provisionally registered doctors priority in filling these posts, and has taken steps to warn overseas doctors to obtain the necessary pre-registration experience before coming to Britain.