§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what progress has been made in the dispute about operating prescription charges with the representatives of Scottish pharmacists;
(2) what steps he intends to take to protect people in Scotland who qualify for exemption from prescription charges, in the light of failure to reach agreement with the representatives of Scottish pharmacists.
§ Mr. RossThe outstanding issue is that of remuneration for the operation of the new prescription arrangements. It has now been agreed with the chemists' representatives to refer the remuneration for the early weeks of the new scheme to arbitration and to deal with the matter in the longer term by means of a general review of remuneration under the accepted Whitley Committee procedure. In the meantime the arrangements for exemptions are being operated.