§ Mr. Dan Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans she 738W has to set up a national family planning scheme ; and what is her estimate of the cost of such a scheme.
§ Dr. OwenAs from 1st April last free family planning advice and supplies have been available at clinics provided within the National Health Service either directly by health authorities or by agents to them such as the Family Planning Association. The estimated cost of this present service for 1974–75 is about £8 million.
I have not yet been able to include the provision by general practitioners under the NHS of family planning services for other than medical reasons. The fees recommended by the Review Body earlier this year for such services were rejected by the medical profession. Negotiations are nevertheless continuing with the medical and pharmaceutical professions with a view to including general practice as soon as possible in the national scheme.