§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many doctors are employed by the National Health Service; and how many vacancies exist for doctors.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergAt 30 September 1982, excluding locum appointments, there were 36,633* doctors in permanent post in the hospital service and 6,516* in the community services in England and Wales. Figures of vacancies for doctors are not generally available, but at 30 September 1982 there were 1,227* consultant and senior registrar posts without a permanent holder, of which 370* were fully or partly filled by locums.
* Provisional figures, subject to amendment.