§ 4. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to secure an improvement in the condition and equipment of general practitioners' surgeries.
19. Dr. Jegerasked the Minister of Health what Regulations he has made on the standard of surgery and waiting room accommodation in doctors' premises under the National Health Service; how many have been inspected by executive councils; and how many have been declared unsuitable.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe relevant Regulation is paragraph 7 (4) and (5) of Part I of the First Schedule to Statutory Instruments, 1948, No. 506. My right hon. Friend has no details of inspections by executive councils. He is, however, hoping shortly to discuss the best way of securing an improvement, where necessary, in the condition and equipment of general practitioners' surgeries and waiting rooms with representatives of the medical profession.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill the Minister agree that the attention of the executive councils might well be drawn to this matter, especially in view of the considerable sums of back pay recently awarded to the medical profession, and that this 192 may be one of the most desirable ways of utilising at least some of that money?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI think that we should await the outcome of the discussions which are pending.