§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the number of women doctors to reach parity with male doctors in the main career grades in the National Health Service.
§ Mrs. CurrieIt is not possible to make a forecast of this kind. The proportion of women among medical students has risen from 22 per cent, in 1965 to 46 per cent, in 1987, but it is likely to be some years before the increased number of women entering the profession is fully reflected throughout the career structure.
The Department sponsored the recently published research study by Ms. Isobel Allen, "Doctors and their Careers", which highlighted the problem of women doctors in reaching top medical jobs. A copy of the study is in the Library. We are raising the problems identified with the medical profession and health authorities as part of our policy to ensure that women seeking medical careers have equal opportunity for employment and promotion.