§ 12. Dr. Millerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average amount paid to principals in general medical practice in Scotland in respect of ancillary assistance provided by general practitioners in each year since such payments began; and what he expects it to be in 1971.
§ Mr. MonroAs the Answer contains a number of figures I shall with permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Dr. MillerIn adding my congratulations to the hon. Member, may I hope that his post will interfere less with his rugby than the Prime Minister's post interferes with his sailing? In view of the fact that this money is being paid to general practitioners in addition to an already substantial remuneration, amounting in England and Wales—there is no reason to think that it is less in Scotland—to £7,800, will the Minister ask his right hon. Friend to do everything possible to encourage in Scotland the provision of health centres and group practice, so that the doctors who are receiving this very large sum of money can provide patients with better attention and better facilities than they provide at present?
§ Mr. MonroI am glad that the hon. Member thinks that sailing and rugby are manly sports. His supplementary question covers his second Question, No. 27. I am particularly glad that a rising amount of money is going to ancillary staff—both in the number of practices making claims and in the total payments. This is an encouraging trend and should provide better facilities for patients.
§ Following is the information:
§ Direct payments to general medical practitioners for ancillary staff from 1st October, 1966 are set out in the table below. Details are available only of the practices and not of the principals making claims. I expect that there will be a further increase in the amount paid in 1971–72. Apart from these direct payments the gross remuneration of general medical practitioners contains an allowance for practice expenses which includes 1567 an element for payments for ancillary staff.
| (a) Year ended 31st March | (b) Total payments £ | (c) Number of practices making claims | (d) Average payment per practice making claim £ |
| 1967 | 65,820 | 702 | 94 |
| 1968 | 346,890 | 789 | 440 |
| 1969 | 452,876 | 826 | 548 |
| 1970 | 575,201 | 841 | 684 |
| 1971 | 702,240 | 859 | 818 |
§ 27. Dr. Millerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average remuneration paid to principals in general medical practice in Scotland in each of the years 1960 to 1970; and what he expects it to be in 1971.
§ Mr. MonroAs the Answer contains a number of figures, I shall, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Dr. MillerI thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Is it not a fact that the sum to emerge will be very high? I indicated earlier that it is likely to be in the region of £7,800. As consultations are taking place with the medical profession for a further increase, will he ask his right hon. Friend to confer with the Secretary of State for the Social Services with a view to the medical profession being urged to help the para-medical branches—I have in mind the medical laboratory technicans—without whom the whole of the medical profession would collapse? Will the hon. Gentleman see that pressure is brought to bear on the medical profession to help the lower-paid people who work in this important branch of medicine?
§ Mr. MonroI appreciate that the hon. Gentleman speaks from personal experience. I will look into the matter and give it further consideration.
§ Following is the information:
§ The average gross remuneration paid to principals in general medical practice in Scotland in each of the financial years from 1960–1961 to 1970–1971 is set out in the table below. The remuneration of general practitioners for 1971–72 is currently under consideration.
1568| Year ended | Average Gross Remuneration of Principal General Medical Practitioners in Scotland £ |
| 31st March, 1961 | 3,123 |
| 31st March, 1962 | 3,179 |
| 31st March, 1963 | 3,234 |
| 31st March, 1964 | 3,603 |
| 31st March, 1965 | 3,515 |
| 31st March, 1966 | 3,803 |
| 31st March, 1967 | 3,979 |
| 31st March, 1968 | 4,769 |
| 31st March, 1969 | 4,978 |
| 31st March, 1970 | 5,372 |
| 31st March, 1971 | 6,604 |