§ 18. Mr. Hollandasked the Minister of Health whether he will ensure by administrative means that any Selective Employment Tax paid in respect of pharmacists employed for the purpose of dispensing prescriptions under the National Health Service will be refunded in full through the system of chemists' remuneration.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Guildford (Mr. David Howell) on 21st June.
§ Mr. HollandCannot the right hon. Gentleman give a firm assurance at this stage? Can he envisage administrative means of achieving this without creating anomalies between one chemist and another?
§ Mr. RobinsonI told the hon. Member for Guildford that there is an inquiry into dispensing costs of retail chemists in progress. In the course of this inquiry 993 we shall consider whether any adjustment in remuneration is called for either because of the Selective Employment Tax or for any other reason.