HC Deb 17 February 1998 vol 306 cc550-1W
Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of patients are currently served by general practitioner practices holding their own budgets. [29007]

Mr. Milburn

Fifty-seven per cent. of the registered population of England is currently served by a general practitioner fundholding practice.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many submissions he has received from doctors since 2 May requesting an end to general practitioner practice level budgets. [29006]

Mr. Milburn

Since 2 May 1997, we have consulted widely in the National Health Service and discussed with representatives of the professions proposals to abolish the internal market in the NHS. This culminated in the publication of the White Paper, The New NHS, containing our proposals for setting up Primary Care Groups. We have received a wide measure of support for these proposals.