The Isle of Barra has a population of around 1,300

Dr David Bickle, the only doctor on Barra in the Western Isles, is expected to earn �300,000 this year.

Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr and Dr Brian Michie of the Western Isles NHS said it was unlikely the GP is getting all allowances for himself.

They said the money will also be used to fund a second GP once one is found.

The situation on Barra - which has a population of about 1,300 - emerged amid revelations that some GPs are earning �250,000 in England and Wales under new government negotiated contracts.

Dr Michie, medical director for community services, said the circumstances will change once Dr Bickle finds another partner for the practice.

He said: "Normally this is a two doctor practice, but since January this year one doctor left.

I always want to drive a hard bargain. If it is not being driven I expect it to be driven, but I will take the matter up Health Minister Andy Kerr

"He's therefore receiving all the allowance or rather his practice has been receiving all these allowances for two doctors.

"Once he finds another partner this money will be used to fund the second doctor in that practice."

Mr Kerr said he will be looking into the matter.

He said: "Let's remember he has lost a partner recently, therefore, all the money is going into the practice.

"I would be surprised if a lot of that money is not going to support locum activity as well.

"But I always want to drive a hard bargain. If it is not being driven I expect it to be driven, but I will take the matter up."

New contract

This month, the BBC found some GPs are earning as much as �250,000 a year after expenses under their new contracts.

GP wages have risen by up to 25% since the contracts were introduced in 2004, according to specialist accounts.

The figures come from an annual survey by the Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants.

Experts said the new arrangement was ill-devised and is partly responsible for current NHS deficits.

The results of the survey of earnings suggest the average annual income for GPs could rise to �120,000 before tax.

But the figures also give evidence that some GPs are earning up to �250,000.

GPs, however, said only a tiny minority earn that much. They argue that their incomes had to be boosted, as they had fallen below that of other comparable professionals.

One accountancy firm in the north-east of England said it has just under 10 GPs earning between �200,000 and �250,000 a year.