§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the functions, constitution and organisation of the Prescription Pricing Authority were last changed; and if he is satisfied with its present working.
§ Dr. OwenThe functions and organisation of the Prescription Pricing Authority—and its pre-1974 predecessor, the Joint Pricing Committee—have been largely unchanged for the past 20 years. The authority's membership is, however, smaller than the committee's. As I said in
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AHA Recommended Interval (Weeks) Usual Interval (Weeks) Bury … … … … … … 8 10 (Special cases seen more often) Oldham … … … … … … 8 10–11 Manchester … … … … … … 12 12 (Reduced interval where felt to be desirable) Rochdale … … … … … … 8 10–12 Stockport … … … … … … 8 9 Lancashire … … … … … … 10 10 (Reduced interval where felt to be desirable) Tameside … … … … … … 8 12 Trafford … … … … … … 8 10 Wigan … … … … … … 10 11–12 Oldham … … … … … … 8 10–12 Bolton … … … … … … 8 8–12 (Reduced interval where felt to be desirable) Salford … … … … … … 8 10–12 my reply to my hon. Friend on 2nd April, we have set up an independent inquiry into all aspects of the Authority's work.—[Vol. 908, c. 610–11.]