§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent general practitioners are refusing to allow their patients to attend Family Planning Association and local authority clinics for free family planning services; and whether he will issue advice to family doctors on this matter.
§ Sir K. JosephI do not know how many general practitioners have raised objections to their patients attending Family Planning Association or local authority clinics for free family planning services. I cannot prevent their doing so, but it is implicit in the arrangements for the provision of family planning under the National Health Service, which are being discussed with the medical profession, that the patient should be free to choose where she gets advice and treatment.