§ 3. Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether gross spending on family practitioner services has risen more rapidly than on hospital and community services in the last four years.
§ Mr. FowlerBetween 1978–79 and 1982–83 spending on the family practitioner services rose by some 7 per cent. more in cash than spending on the hospital and community health services.
§ Dr. MarekDoes the Minister have any plans to institiute cash limits on family practitioner committees? If so, by what mechanism will he instigate that? Will the Minister give a categoric assurance that in that event doctors will not be prevented from giving the best possible prescription to patients?
§ Mr. FowlerWe shall always want to bear the hon. Gentleman's second point in mind. Question No. 6 deals with cash limits, and I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await my reply to that.