§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what percentage he expects the staff and other 205W overhead costs of dispensing doctors to increase in 1982–83; and what were his reasons for implementing the recommendation of the Doctors and Dentists Review Body that the average remuneration from oncost and professional fees of dispensing doctors should be increased by 9.9 per cent. in the same period.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe expenses arising from dispensing carried out by general practitioners are not separately identified. The Government accepted the judgment of the review body about the provision which should be made in 1982–83 for practice expenses including those on dispensing, falling to be met indirectly through gross fees and allowances. This indicated a figure for the average practitioner of £9,260 as against the figure intended for 1981–82 of £8,500. The Government were unable to accept the recommendation of the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body for the increase in intended average net remuneration of general medical practitioners. As a result of the abatement made it is intended that average gross remuneration from on-cost and professional fees in respect of dispensing should increase by 7.8 per cent. in 1982–83.