§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has issued guidelines on the number of members of the Wakefield family practitioner committee that should be appointed to meet hon. Members representing local constituencies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe have issued no such guidelines. It is a matter for individual FPCs to decide the level of representation at particular meetings.
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he issued guidelines to the Wakefield family practitioner committee on when the White Paper "Working for Patients" should be considered and discussed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe have issued no such guidelines. I welcome discussion by FPCs on the implications for implementing locally the proposals contained in the White Paper.
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§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the chairman of the Wakefield family practitioner committee has been appointed an agent on behalf of the Secretary of State; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorFPCs are the Secretary of State's agents responsible for administering and managing family practitioner services. Chairmen and members are appointed by the Secretary of State and are accountable to him for the discharge of these duties.