§ 3. Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Social Services what is the present position in respect of ministerial consideration of the unused facilities at the health centre in Hazel Road, Knottingley.
§ Mr. MoyleI will be writing to my hon. Friend shortly about this matter. Knottingley is not classified as a designated area requiring additional doctors, nor am I aware of any failure to provide general medical services for patients living on the Warwick estate. Knottingley health clinic is being fully used for community health services, although a branch surgery could be accommodated if a general practitioner wished to practise from there. I have no power to direct general medical practitioners to practise in a particular locality.
§ Dr. MarshallIf a qualified doctor shows an interest in holding surgeries on these premises, which have not been used for that purpose in the 10 years since they were built, will my right hon. Friend encourage the Wakefield area health authority, which owns the building, to be flexible and generous in offering the doctors terms to practise there?
§ Mr. MoyleI note my hon. Friend's interesting suggestion. I shall certainly consider what flexibility I can urge upon the Wakefield area health authority in the solution of these matters.