§ 6. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health what discussions he has had with representatives of the medical profession about improvements in the condition and equipment of surgeries and waiting rooms; and with what result.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithDiscussions with the representatives of the medical profession have not yet been concluded.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopDoes the hon. Lady agree that this is a very important matter and that as considerable sums are being paid to the medical profession in arrears on the Danckwerts award, for example, it is extremely important that a decision should be reached and improvements made without any further delay while the medical profession still have some of this cash in their pockets?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI quite accept that it is a very important matter, but the B.M.A. have agreed that it should be discussed with the problem of group practice which is at present under discussion. As those negotiations are pending, the hon. Gentleman will not expect me to add anything.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWould the hon. Lady nevertheless agree that a dateline ought to be fixed, because it is important that we should get these discussions concluded reasonably early, otherwise they might drag on indefinitely?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithDiscussions on the two joint issues are under way, and I do not think there is any desire to break them up.