§ Mr. Dicksasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (a) how many principal general practitioners posts there are in Northern Ireland, (b) how many general practice principals are graduates of medical schools in the Republic of Ireland and (c) in what way the requirements for principal general practitioner posts differ as regards experience, as between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamFollowing is the information:
(a) There were 905 principals in general practice in Northern Ireland at 1 March 1987.
(b) The information is not available readily and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
(c) Doctors who are nationals of the United Kingdom must have successfully completed three years' vocational training under the requirements of the Medical Practitioners (Vocational Training) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1979. At present there is no corresponding requirement in the Republic of Ireland.