§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the negotiations with the profession for the establishment of hospital admission waiting lists which are common to private practice and National Health Service patients and include a final date for this practice to be implemented.
§ Mr. Roland MoyleFollowing the widespread consultations which took place on the Health Services Board's report on common waiting lists (Cmnd. 6828) the Government reaffirmed their commitment to common waiting lists to ensure equal access to NHS facilities. I have therefore written to the Joint Consultants Committee setting out the Government's proposals for implementation, and I plan to meet them shortly to discuss the proposals. The Government are anxious that common waiting lists be introduced at an early date, but it would be premature to specify a final date of implementation in advance of the discussions with the profession.