§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he has proposed that in future all 126W appointments to family practitioner committees should be made by the Secretary of State; what consultation he has had with representative organisations of local authorities and the Department for the Environment; when effect will be given to this decision and by what means it will be achieved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:It is our intention to seek legislation to make family practitioner committees solely accountable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. To this end we shall be proposing that all appointments to these committees are made by him. There will be consultations with those bodies with a direct interest in the proposals.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what authority officials of his Department have asked family practitioner committee officers to inform him of the political party affiliations of committee members appointed by the local authorities; what was the purpose of the inquiries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:No such general request has been made.