HC Deb 16 January 1984 vol 52 cc102-3W
Dr. Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is Her Majesty's Government's target level for the number of doctors for the year 2000; what level of medical school intake is necessary to achieve this target level; and what adjustments have been made to these figures to take into account expected immigration and emigration.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The Government do not set a target level for doctors though we do undertake periodic reviews of supply and demand and set targets for medical school intake (currently 4,080 for Great Britain). These reviews take account of such factors as emigration and immigration. We are awaiting the outcome of one such review at the moment.

Dr. Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures for the number of general practitioners per 10,000 population in (a) Greater London, (b) the four Thames regions, excluding Greater London, and (c) the whole of England, excluding the four Thames regions.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

At 1 October 1982 the number of general medical practitioners (unrestricted principals) per 10,000 population was as follows:

Greater London 5.4
Four Thames Regions excluding Greater London 4.7
England excluding the four Thames Regions 4.8