HC Deb 19 October 1976 vol 917 c391W
Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of qualified doctors who will be available in England and Wales in 1980 and 1985, respectively; and whether he estimates that there will be a shortage or a surplus of doctors in these years.

Mr. Moyle

Estimates of the number of doctors in Great Britain as a whole were given in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) on 5th July. It is difficult to predict distribution, but some 90 per cent. might be in England and Wales. In this period I estimate that the number of United Kingdom graduates will not be sufficient to meet all the requirements of the NHS, but overall the figures for total supply indicated in my right hon. Friend's reply on 5th July—[Vol. 914, c.442]—should be adequate.