§ 13. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that some chemists had to wait until December for the settlement of their February National Health Service accounts making it necessary for them to run bank overdrafts, he will take further measures to speed the process of payment.
§ Mr. CrookshankI cannot accept the inference in the Question. Substantial payments on account are made each month and are supplemented when necessary. These payments are designed to put chemists in broadly the same financial position as they would be if final settlement of accounts were up to date.