§ Mr. Hickmetasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) pursuant to the reply of 14 March, Official Report, column 243, what was the total value of the discount on drugs costs from wholesalers and manufacturers given to dispensing doctors in the last year for which figures are available; and what savings would be made to the National Health Service as a whole if a similar level of discount were given by drugs wholesalers and manufacturers to all purchasers of drugs by or on behalf of the National Health Service;
(2) pursuant to the reply of 25th February, Official Report, column 71, whether discounts will continue to be available on drugs dispensed by dispensing doctors after 1 April; whether similar discounts are offered by drugs wholesalers and manufacturers to all or any other purchases of drugs by the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.