§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the reply to the hon. Member for Peterborough of 7 February, to what percentage level above the local average level the word "significantly" applies; and what is the average saving per general practitioner, at 1984 prices, per annum in each of the next two succeeding years after the general practitioners have received the detailed analyses.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDetailed analyses are prepared on doctors whose prescribing costs are 25 per cent. or more above the local average. These doctors are visited by our regional medical officers who discuss prescribing practice and related topics with them. It is not possible to identify actual savings, but about 80 per cent. of doctors who are identified and visited in this way subsequently keep their prescribing costs below the limit for special investigation.