HC Deb 16 January 1998 vol 304 cc365-6W
Dr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new medical schools he anticipates will be required to implement the recommendations of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee. [23174]

Mr. Milburn

One of the main recommendations in the Third Report of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee (MWSAC) is a 20 per cent. increase in the annual intake to United Kingdom medical schools. This recommendation has very significant implications, and needs careful examination. The Government will announce their decisions on all of MWSAC's recommendations in a few months' time, in the light of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).

Dr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's policy towards the recommendations of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee. [23175]

Mr. Milburn

The Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee's (MWSAC) main recommendations are for the annual intake to United Kingdom medical schools to increase by 1,000, a 20 per cent. increase over the target of 4,970 for the year 2000, together with a range of measures to improve the recruitment and retention of doctors.

A number of MWSAC's recommendations chime with the Government's own thinking and should be welcomed. But the recommendation on increased medical school intake has very significant implications, and will need careful examination.

The Government will announce their decisions on all of MWSAC's recommendations in a few months' time in the light of the Comprehensive Sending Review.