HC Deb 16 February 1984 vol 54 c326W
Sir Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date he notified the Minister for the Civil Service of his intention to create 90 additional non-departmental public bodies by extending his patronage to include all the members of each family practitioner committee.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Family practitioner committees have existed since 1974, and their predecessors, executive councils, since 1946. Our proposals will secure their accountability to Ministers through the appointment of their chairmen and members by the Secretary of State. The consultations usual between Departments when legislation is contemplated were undertaken prior to our introduction of the Health and Social Security Bill.