asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a large number of the medical staff employed in the National Health Service are working very long hours, in cases as many as 70 per week; and if he will look into the matter with a view to curtailing these excessive hours.

I am aware of the long hours often worked, particularly by junior hospital doctors; the very large increases in salaries for such doctors recommended by the Review Body and accepted by the Government were drawn up in the knowledge of this; the eventual solution is to increase the number of doctors.