HC Deb 27 October 2003 vol 412 cc20-1WS
John Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the proposed exemption of large shopping developments from the control of entry requirements for retail pharmacy services will be restricted to bespoke shopping developments. [133276]

Ms Rosie Winterton

I have been asked to reply.

As part of the balanced package of measures, announced on 17 July 2003, the Government proposed that shopping developments over 15,000 square metres would be exempt from the control of entry requirements for national health service pharmaceutical services. Such developments include purpose-built named shopping developments in town centres, on edge-of-centre and out-of-centre sites, major regional shopping centres, retail warehouse parks and factory outlet centres. We are currently consulting on these proposals and would welcome views