§ Mr. Michael MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions of general practitioners for overprescribing have taken place in Scotland by the health board in the last(a) five years, (b) 10 years and (c) 15 years.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythFinancial penalties for over-prescribing are normally imposed by health boards on general practitioners only where advice and guidance have failed to have effect. Such penalties have been imposed in four cases in the last five years, in nine cases in the last 10 years and in 12 cases in the last 15 years.