§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of voluntary, private and local authority residents care homes for elderly people in England and Wales; and, in each case, what is the total number of places available.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe latest available information, as at 31 March 1986, on the numbers of voluntary, private and local authority homes in England for elderly people and the total numbers of places available are contained in the Department's publication RA/86/2—"Residential
656Wthe National Health Service; how many of these were trained overseas; and what levels of written and spoken English, and other skills, are required for the latter prior to appointment.
§ Mr. NewtonThe number of doctors employed in the hospital and community health services in England at 30 September 1986 was 52,058. Information is not readily available centrally on their countries of qualification; but 13,721 were born overseas. The majority of overseas doctors appointed in the NHS come here for postgraduate training. Overseas doctors must satisfy the General Medical Council that they have the linguistic and professional skills to practise in the NHS.