§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now give the necessary six months' notice to terminate the Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme in order that it may be renegotiated with a view to obtaining terms more favourable to the taxpayer.
§ Sir K. JosephI am precluded by the provisions of the scheme in the absence372W of major changes in the pharmaceutical services from giving such notice before 1st March 1977. I would in any case see no reason to seek to terminate the scheme, because it is working as intended in providing a fair balance between the interests of the manufacturers and of my Department.