The international development secretary has defended the right of African doctors to work in the western world.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday Hilary Benn said he was reluctant to impose a total ban on medical staff from developing countries working in the NHS as it would be a restriction on their individual rights.

He pointed out that the Department of Health has introduced a code of practice ruling out the active recruitment of doctors and nurses from countries where severe shortages exist.

But the Conservatives countered that many are still finding employment in Britain through private agencies and called for a complete ban.

"Will he ask... the secretary of state for health to take action, not just to tighten the code of practice, but actually to ban the NHS from taking staff through private sector agencies who come from those countries which have the greatest shortage of medical and nursing staff?" shadow spokesman Julian Brazier asked.

Benn replied that John Reid is considering ways of strengthening the code of practice but that a ban would be a step too far.

He argued that western governments should be doing more to prevent the factors that force fully trained doctors to leave in the first place.

"The code of practice says very clearly that there will not be active recruitment," the Cabinet minister said. "I think the real question if we are honest is this.

"If an individual from a developing country makes the choice that they want to seek employment in a country like the UK or the United States of America, would it be right to have a rule that says you cannot be employed in any capacity in the health service in our country?

"Because then the individual would say 'well what about my right?'"