§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health what guidance has been given to executive councils on the factors they should take into account in their review of existing doctors' dispensing arrangements in the light of the resolution passed at the annual general meeting of the National Federation of Women's Institutes, a copy of which is in his possession.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonAs has been explained to the National Federation of Women's Institutes, the resolution passed earlier this year appears to be based on a misunderstanding of proposals in the Third Report of Joint Discussions on the Family Doctor Service. The implementation of the proposals still has to be fully worked out with the medical and pharmaceutical bodies concerned, and Executive Councils have not yet been asked to undertake a review of doctors' dispensing arrangements in rural areas.
§ Mr. Wyattasked the Minister of Health how many general medical practitioners there were in 1965; and how many doctors there were working in National Health Service hospitals in 1965.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThere were 20,027 unrestricted general practitioners, and 20,924 doctors working in National Health Service hospitals in 1965.