§ Mr. Michael Weir (Angus)The fear in communities about the future of pharmacies is genuine in Scotland, too. The position is slightly different because health is a devolved matter, but competition policy is not.
I wish to present a petition signed by more than 200 residents of the small villages of Invergowrie, Longforgan and Kingoodie and the surrounding areas of eastern Perthshire, which are paradoxically in the Angus constituency that I am proud to represent.
The petition states:
To the House of Commons,The Petition of the Constituents of the villages of Invergowrie, Longforgan, Kingoodie and surrounding areas of East Perthshire declaresThat they oppose the recommendations made in the Office of Fair Trading report—the Control of Entry Regulations and Retail Pharmacy Services in the UK—to end pharmacy control of entry regulations and allow all supermarkets to open a pharmacy within their stores.The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons encourage the Government to rethink the decision regarding the recommendations of the OFT report—the Control of Entry Regulations and Retail Pharmacy Services in the UK.And the Petitioners remain etcetera.To lie upon the Table.