§ 3. Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what downsizing she expects in the administration of the Prescription Pricing Authority in 1994–95.
§ Mr. CousinsIs the Minister not concerned about the creeping privatisation of more than 1,000 jobs in Newcastle, where prescriptions are processed more cheaply, more accurately and with more fairness than in any equivalent organisation, using the second largest computer installation in Europe to produce the best public health information based on prescriptions anywhere in the world? Is he not concerned about British public administration at its British best? Will he come and look at it in Newcastle and stop meddling?
§ Dr. MawhinneyIt is not creeping privatisation. It is a market testing programme to ensure— [Interruption.] I am interested that hon. Members on the Opposition Front Bench do not know the difference. The market testing programme is to ensure that the taxpayer, patients and the NHS get the best value for the considerable sums of taxpayers' money that are being expended.
§ Mr. CongdonGiven that the price of many drugs is less than the prescription charge, will my right hon. Friend consider, where no risks are involved, making more drugs available over the counter?
§ Dr. MawhinneyI think that that moves slightly outside the scope of the question, but, as we are already doing what my hon. Friend requests, I am able to give him that assurance with some satisfaction.