HC Deb 03 February 1983 vol 36 c182W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to control the number of doctors seeking employment in the United Kingdom from the countries of the European Community.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

No.

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider introducing measures to reduce the intake of medical students in 1983 to around 3,400 in order to reduce rising medical unemployment, and thus rely less upon an appreciable diminution of the numbers of overseas doctors in the Health Service over the next five to 10 years.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

No. I am satisfied there is no evidence of significant unemployment amongst doctors in this country. Any decision on any need to change the size of the target medical school intake must await the report of the advisory committee on medical manpower planning which is currently examining the factors which must be borne in mind in considering the question.

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