HC Deb 08 February 1979 vol 962 cc279-80W
Mr. Peter Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that National Health Service needs are met with the present medical staffing structure, with the current limit on the expansion of registrar posts, and what plans he has for initiating discussions with the medical profession.

Mr. Moyle

Only in so far as the present agreement on the medical staffing structure accords with our aim to meet service needs with doctors in career grade posts. For this reason, the number of registrar posts, which are training posts, are limited by the number of career outlets available in the different specialities. I am looking forward to hearing the profession's view on the future of this structure in the light of my Department's paper "Medical Manpower—the Next 20 Years."

Mr. Peter Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the present distribution of registrar posts in the Mersey regional health authority.

Mr. Moyle

The number of registrars (medical) in post on 30 September 1978 in each area within the Mersey regional health authority was as follows:

Cheshire … 60
Liverpool … 121
St. Helens with Knowsley … 27
Sefton … 56
Wirral … 53