§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with university authorities and ministers at the Department of Education and Skills concerning the number of students applying for medical degrees. [83296]
§ Mr. HuttonI met the Minister of State for universities and lifelong learning on 27 November. Matters relating to medical education were discussed.
The Department and the higher education funding council for England have set up a group to monitor the progress medical schools are making in delivering the extra medical school places announced between 1999 and 2001.
The Open University Centre for Education and Medicine has recently published a report entitled, "An analysis of trends in Applications to Medical Schools", which was commissioned by the Department.
166WRecent information published by the universities and colleges admissions service shows that between October 2000 and October 2002, the number of home applicants to study medicine has increased by 51.6 per cent.