HC Deb 24 March 1981 vol 1 cc314-5W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he envisages taking in the short and medium term to counter the overproduction of doctors at a time when the recession and enforced cutbacks are delaying job appointments, in order that health authorities do not exceed their cash limits; and what relationship there is between the strict imposition of cash limits, widespread underfunding and careers in most branches of medicine.

Dr. Vaughan

There is no evidence of an overproduction of doctors at this time and we do not propose any moves now to modify the number of medical students in training. However, we propose regularly to review the target intake to medical schools. Since cash limits were introduced in 1976–77 the number of doctors employed by, or in contract with, the NHS in England and Wales has increased by more than 8½ per cent.