To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state the average earnings of a general practitioner in the current year and the year 1979; and if he will make a statement.

The intended average gross income for general medical practitioners was £17,327 in 1979–80 and £45,761 in 1989–90, an increase of 31 per cent. in real terms. The average GP also received an income of £5,955 in 1979–80 in direct reimbursement of certain expenses: the 1989–90 figure is estimated to be £21,475, an increase of 79 per cent. in real terms.