§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if the advice given on deputising arrangements and contract-ing-out services for general practitioners contained in the circular issued seven years ago, ECL 103/66, Ref. C/G27/02, is still valid; what account has been taken of the developments in this field since that time; if he will now revise this circular and bring it up to date; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that general practitioners do not use deputising services in excess of the limits laid down in his circular ECL 103/66; what action he proposes to take, in the light of the evidence in this regard given in the British Medical Journal dated 10th March 1973, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. AlisonI cannot at present add to the information given in my reply to the Adjournment debate on 6th April.—[Vol. 845, c. 900–6.]