§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now refer the dispute between the Government and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee on the remuneration of pharmacists for National Health Service dispensing to arbitration; and whether he will make a statement on the present position in the dispute.
§ Mr. EnnalsI wrote to the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) on 28th February explaining in full my reasons for rejecting its claim for an increase in the rate of return on capital employed in National Health Service dispensing and told it that whilst I did not necessarily rule out arbitration in all circumstances, the question should in my view be deferred until it could be seen how the recently introduced changes in64W the payment system worked out in practice. I have now received further representations from the PSNC which I am considering.