§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total of the salaries paid in the last year to the 52 regional medical officers concerned with containing the prescribing costs of doctors;
(2) what was the total cost of the expenses, including all car allowances, paid to the 52 regional medical officers who visit general practitioners to discuss their prescribing costs for the last year to a convenient date.
§ Mr. CrossmanIn 1968–69 about £190,000 in salary and about £17,000 in expenses was paid to officers of the regional medical service concerned with the prescribing costs of doctors. On average about a third of the time of these officers was spent on visits in which prescribing was among the matters discussed, in general or particular terms. Other Departmental staff and staff employed by the Joint Pricing Committee were engaged on preparation of the statistical material used by these officers in discussing with doctors their individual prescribing costs.