§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, whether he will give an estimate of the expected expenditure on health centres for the financial years from 1970–71 to 1975–76, respectively, at current prices.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo precise estimate is possible as the rate of health centre development over this period will depend upon the readiness of general practitioners to practise from them and on the ability of local health authorities to respond against the background of other competing demands on their resources. The Government give high priority to the establishment of health centres, and 39 v/ere opened in England and Wales during the year ending 31st December 1968; 93 are now open, and present indications are that local authorities' earlier estimate of 300 centres in operation by 1975–76 is likely to be exceeded.