§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date he agreed to set up a tribunal to investigate the complaints of chemist contractors on the issue of their current terms; by what date the panel was due to report; if the membership of the panel was agreed between the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee and himself; how many such persons have agreed to serve; and when he now expects the panel to report.
§ Mr. EnnalsI reached an agreement with the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee on 14 November last that an independent panel should be set34W up to advise on the profit which should be paid in respect of National Health Service dispensing; the terms of reference were agreed on 12 February. It is hoped that the panel will report within three months of its first meeting. Joint approaches have been made, in the name of the Department and the PSNC, to persons who might be willing to serve on the panel but I am not yet in a position to announce its composition or the date on which it will begin work.