§ 66. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for supporting a central agency of doctors and unorthodox practitioners as outlined in his speech to a London symposium on 17th November; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ennals:In my address to the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society symposium on 17th November, I welcomed the recommendation of the working group on back pain that there should be comparative trials of the therapies used both by medical practitioners and by osteopaths, chiropractors and acupuncturists in the treatment of back pain. How these can best be arranged will be determined following the publication of the report of the working group and subsequent consultations with the professional organisations and other bodies concerned. I am sending a copy of my speech to my hon. Friend.