§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the Minister for Health's discussions with representatives of the medical profession on allowing practitioners to charge for non-urgent treatment; and if he will define the term non-urgent treatment, and distinguish it from the full care a patient can expect from a family medical practitioner with whom he is registered.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinNo such proposal has been made to me or to my hon. Friend. Representatives of the medical profession have suggested possible additions to the existing list of services for which general practitioners are allowed to accept fees, but these proposals would not affect medically necessary treatment now provided in this country under the National Health Service, whether urgent or non-urgent. I am considering these suggestions.