§ Mr. David Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will permit local authorities providing new health centres in the future to provide a direct pharmacy service rather than having such a service provided by a consortium of local private pharmacists.
§ Dr. OwenFrom 1st April 1974 health centres will be the responsibility of area health authorities. Only in exceptional circumstances, as envisaged in the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, would a direct pharmacy service be provided.