§ 89. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that chemists in East Fife have received no payments in excess of the standard 2s. 6d. per prescription since the Health Scheme was introduced in July; that in consequence of the delay 177W and the large number of expensive prescriptions demanded in recent months, large debts are being incurred by chemists; and what action he proposes to take to ensure regular and full payments to these professional men.
§ Mr. WoodburnIt is the case that, owing to the heavy additional burden of work falling on the trained staff of the central checking bureau, final payments to chemists have been delayed. Interim payments at the rate of 2s. 6d. per prescription form have been made and I have received no representations from the chemists' organisations that this payment is causing hardship. I am, however, reconsidering the position in the light of the calculations made on the prescriptions which have been priced up to the present time.
§ 90. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in order to simplify the returns of chemists, he will provide duplicate prescription books, similar to the old National Health Insurance forms.
§ Mr. WoodburnIt is estimated that to provide duplicate forms would require an additional 25 to 30 tons of paper a year and I am not satisfied that, in present circumstances, any commensurate advantage is likely to be obtained by doing so. I shall, however, be prepared to reconsider the question when the paper shortage is less acute.