§ 32. Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for liaison between district health authorities and family practitioner committees.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAt the moment family practitioner committees are established by district health authorities, which appoint one third of their members, meet their administrative costs and are the employing authorities for their staff. There should therefore be a reasonable relationship between the two bodies, and I am not aware of any general liaison problems. However, I believe that there is scope for a more positive contribution by family practitioner committees to the planning and development of health services. One of the aims of the Government's proposed changes in the committees' status and the appointment to them is to promote this more positive approach. Close collaboration will be needed between the two bodies, and we shall take steps to secure this.