§ Mr. Thorpeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reply she has given to a letter written to her on 27th January by the Chairman of the South-West Regional Junior Hospital Staff Committee.
§ Dr. OwenI replied on 2nd March as follows
The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to your letter of 27th January about private practice.I enclose a copy of a statement made by Mrs. Castle in the House of Commons on 15th December and of the proposals to which she referred. These proposals were arrived at after much detailed discussion and have recently been the subject of a ballot of hospital consultants.The issue of private practice in NHS hospitals has as you know long been one of great controversy, not least within the Service itself. The current proposals will ensure that the policy of separation of private practice from NHS hospitals, to which the Government remains committed, is achieved in a way which should allay the fears of the medical profession and provide an enduring settlement. The Government therefore believes that a decision should be made by Parliament without delay. Accordingly these proposals, if agreed by the professions, will be embodied in early legislation.I copy of the proposals referred to in the letter are in the Library of the House.