§ 19. Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of general practitioners became budget holders on 1 April.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyA total of 1,720 general practitioners became budget holders on 1 April in England. This represents 6.8 per cent. of the total number of GPs in England.
§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners' practices are interested in acquiring fund-holding status from April 1992.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced to the House on 13 March that 306 GP practices in England became fund holders this year. It is anticipated that a similar number will acquire fund-holding status from April 1992.