§ 59. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Health what representations he has received concerning the imposition of consultation fees on National Health Service patients; and if he will give an assurance that he will not agree to such a system.
§ 60. Mr. Will Griffithsasked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that he will not agree to any proposals that National Health Service 154W patients shall pay fees to their general medical practitioner for consultations either at their home or at the medical practitioner's surgery.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI have been informed that the Representative Body of the British Medical Association decided on 10th July that payment by patients should be included among the methods of remuneration proposed in the Family Doctor's Charter already under negotiation. I have made it clear to the representatives of the general practitioners that this method is unacceptable to the Government and I readily give the assurances requested by my hon. Friends.