Mr. Hawkinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has received from the hon. Member for High Peak about the use of deputising services; what reports he has received from the family practitioner committees about the use of these services; whether he is satisfied with the reports which he has received from the committees in the light of other evidence he has received; if he will now consider an independent system of monitoring and control; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeMy hon. Friend has drawn my attention to shortcomings, which he has identified in some areas, in the way arrangements for the use of deputising services in general medical practice are operating. I am afraid that similar findings are emerging from some of the replies to my letter to chairmen of family practitioner committees asking them to review local arrangements. We will require a few more weeks to analyse the replies and