§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is considering in the Principality 132W to attract female doctors back to general practice and to stem their leaving practices in the more industrial areas, where serious shortages are being reported, in view of the fact that mandatory traineeship is proving to be a deterrent to female doctors intending to raise a family.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsNone. I am not aware of female doctors leaving general practice either in rural or industrial areas, nor have I received any reports of serious shortages. My right hon. Friend and I will gladly look into any particular are a of concern if the hon. Member will provide us with details. We do not accept that mandatory vocational training for general practice is proving to be a deterrent to female doctors; the regulations governing such training provide that it may be acquired part-time over a period not exceeding seven years.