§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many places are available for the training of GPs in England and Wales; and what percentage of trainee places have been filled. [84492]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 2 December 2002]: Information on the places available for the training of general practitioners in England are collected by the Directors of Postgraduate General Practice Education. The information is shown in the table and indicates an increase of 14.9 per cent., since 1999.
Year Number available to provide G P training 1999 2,111 2000 2,235 2001 2,264 2002 2,425 From the latest figures it is estimated that 90 per cent. of trainee places were filled.
Information in respect of Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of the devolved administrations, whilst the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.