asked the Minister of Health the number of National Health Service general practitioners in the county borough of Sunderland at 1st January, 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952, respectively.

Figures are not available for 1st January, 1949. Figures for 1st April, 1949 and for subsequent years are:

asked the Minister of Health under what conditions doctors are permitted, by his regulations, to receive in whole or in part compensation payments due to them on retirement from practice at an earlier date.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the regulations. They provide for the early payment of compensation in hardship cases where my right hon. Friend is satisfied that this is justified. Normally, advances are made only to enable doctors to repay burdensome loans raised for the purchase of the goodwill of their practices.