§ Mr. Michael MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of vocational training places in general practice(a) available and (b) taken up in each of the last five years.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe number of vocational training places available is not held centrally. The following table details the number of trainee places taken up in each of the last five years.
Year Trainees (England) 1 October 1987 1,710 1 October 1988 1,685 1 October 1989 1,735 1 October 1990 1,562 General practice remains a popular career choice for doctors and the supply of trainees amply exceeds the needs of the service.
§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reimbursement of general practitioners computing costs in Northumberland health authority.
§ Mr. DorrellFunding for the direct reimbursement of part of general practitioners' computing costs is provided through allocations from the Department to regional health authorities. They, in turn, make specific allocations to family health services authorities who administer the scheme in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department. My hon. Friend may wish to write to Mr. Peter Carr CBE, chairman of Northern regional health authority, for further details.