asked the Home Secretary whether the quota for alien doctors permitted to practise in this country has been reached; and whether he can make any statement as to the attitude of his Department to the serious effect of over-competition in certain branches of the profession?

The policy of the Home Office, settled after consultation with representatives of the medical profession, has been that permission should be given to a restricted number of foreign doctors who have come here as refugees to practise or take appointments in this country, but it has been recognised that the number of foreign practitioners who can properly be absorbed in the medical profession is limited and that a careful selection must be made. My right hon. Friend knows of no ground for any suggestion that the admission of refugee doctors has led to over-competition in certain branches of the profession.