§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of unemployed doctors and nurses in Scotland.
§ Mr. John MacKaySince analysis of the unemployed by occupation has been discontinued, my Department does not have available to it comprehensive information on the numbers of registered unemployed claiming medical or nursing qualifications (who would not necessarily all be seeking employment as doctors or nurses). However, my Department is continuing to monitor the position closely in consultation with the health boards and the professions. So far as doctors are concerned, recent surveys conducted by the British Medical Association suggest that any unemployment experienced is of short duration and occurs when moving from one stage of specialised training to another.