§ 24. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps to assist new town development corporations to provide essential chemist services in new estates by means of a temporary subsidy, in view of the fact that many residents of new estates live some distance from a bus service.
§ Mr. Denis HowellIt would not be appropriate for development corporations to subsidise these services in view of the statutory responsibility of the local executive council of the National Health Service to see that adequate services are provided.
§ Mr. DanceThis is a serious question about the anxiety which is being caused. 1117 Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a qualified dispenser costs about £2,000 a year and that no chemist is prepared to operate on a new housing estate until the estate is fully occupied? Will he give further consideration to this matter to see whether some proposal may be made to help with this problem?
§ Mr. HowellI am obliged to the hon. Gentleman. This problem was brought to my attention when I was visiting a new town the other day, apart from that in his constituency. I will certainly look at this matter, although it is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.