§ 18. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many medical group practices there are in Scotland; and what action he is taking to encourage more.
§ Mr. GalbraithSince 1954, interest-free loans made under the official scheme have been given to assist 52 group practices, involving 177 doctors. Precise information is not available about group practice arrangements entered into by other doctors, but nearly one-third of the general practitioners in Scotland now work in partnerships of three or more.
§ Miss HerbisonDoes not the Under-Secretary think that if more money were available we would get many more group practices in Scotland? Can he state how many applications for the setting up of group practices have been turned down?
§ Mr. GalbraithNone has been turned down of those which have fallen within the accepted criteria of the Group Practice Loans Committee.