§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the trend in the number of general practitioners since 1979.
§ Mr. MellorThe table gives the number of general medical practitioners in England for each year between 1979 and 1988 (the latest year for which figures are available). The figures show that the number of general medical practitioners in England has risen steadily since 1979, with an overall increase of nearly 19 per cent. between 1979 and 1988.
Number of unrestricted principals (England) Year Number 1979 21,357 1980 21,812 1981 22,304 1982 22,786 1983 23,254 1984 23,640 1985 24,035 1986 24,460 1987 24,922 1988 125,322 1 Provisional.