§ 29. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health why he has refused the London County Council permission to provide at the Hampstead Health Institute a centre for group practice; and how far it is now his policy only to permit local authorities to make provision for group practice in under-doctored areas.
§ Mr. MarquandIn general I want to see some experiments in provision for group practice in suitable areas, but this area is already very well supplied with doctors and surgeries.
§ Mr. HastingsAre there any conditions under which my right hon. Friend will permit centres for group practice to be built or adapted; and if so, what?
§ Mr. MarquandYes, Sir. There are two centres out to tender at the moment, one in Bristol and one in Farringdon. There are other proposals under consideration. In this case it was understood that the group of doctors wishing to practice at the centre intended to continue their existing practice at their own private surgeries, and to seek new patients for their practice at the health centre.
§ Mr. Henry BrookeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that what the people in that part of Hampstead most want is not so much a health centre for group practice as the removal of the Government's present restriction on housing permits?