§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what changes in recruitment policy to medical schools there have been in the last five years, with particular reference to(a) gender, (b) ethnicity and (c) social class; [158442]
(2) what his policy is for medical student recruitment in the new medical schools in relation to (a) gender, (b) ethnicity and (c) social class. [158443]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 23 April 2001]The number of places at medical schools is set by the Government. However, higher education institutions are responsible for their own recruitment and admissions procedures, which should be transparent and based on published criteria so that selection is on the basis of an applicant's ability and potential.
The number of medical school places was increased by 1,100 in 2000 and by a further 1,000 earlier this year. In both cases, when medical schools bid for extra places they were asked to demonstrate an active commitment to the recruitment of students from a broad range of social and ethnic backgrounds, to reflect the patterns of the population that they serve.