§ Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made in overcoming the shortage of fully qualified doctors.
§ Sir K. JosephIn England and Wales the total number of hospital doctors rose by 529 in the year to 30th September, 1970; the corresponding figure for unrestricted principals in general practice was 224. We need a greater rate of net increase. The programme of expansion of medical school places in Great Britain to overcome our shortages inevitably takes time to implement but some progress is being made. As I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury and Radcliffe (Mr. Fidler) on 16th December, the Government have now set a new target of 4,110 pre-clinical entry places to be provided by the late 1970s; this compares with an entry of 2,873 in October, 1970, and 2,694 in October, 1969.—[Vol.808, c.389.]