§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he gave a firm commitment to accept the findings of the independent assessment panel on pharmacists' remuneration; and, if not, if he will give his reasons for refusing to do so.
§ Mr. Ennals:I shall, of course, be disposed to accept advice on this complex subject given to the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and myself by an independent panel, but I do not believe that it would be in the interests of either party to agree in advance to be bound by whatever recommendations the panel might make and to rule out the possibility of further negotiation.