§ Mr. Hickmetasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) pursuant to the reply of 28 February, Official Report, column 272, if he will list the expenses incurred by general practitioners which fall within those described as directly reimbursed expenses; how general practitioners claim such expenses; and if he will make a statement;
97W(2) pursuant to his reply of 28 February, Official Report, column 272, if he will itemise the services, in respect of which general practitioners were reimbursed indirectly £9,290 in 1983–84; if he will describe the system by which this money is claimed and paid; and if he will make a statement;
(3) pursuant to his reply of 28 February, Official Report, column 272, what was the average total sum which general practitioners actually received from the National Health Service and from all other sources of public money for which he has responsibility, by way of income, fees, expenses or other payments (a) in the period from 1 April 1983 to 31 December 1983 (grossed up to give an annual fugure) and (b) in the year from 1 January 1984.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 18 March 1985, c. 385–87]: Direct reimbursement of expenses incurred in providing general medical services which are allowed by the Inland Revenue may be claimed on the appropriate forms from family practitioner committees for the following:
- — trainee practitioner scheme payments;
- — the cost of supplying most drugs and appliances;
- — doctors' retainer scheme payments;
- — the cost of employing locums during a sickness, confinement or prolonged study leave;
- — the costs of practice accommodation;
- — part of the salaries of certain ancillary staff.
All other allowable general medical services expenses are automatically reimbursed indirectly on an average basis through fees and allowances.
The average sum received by unrestricted general medical practitioners in England in the period 1 April 1983 to 31 December 1983 (grossed up to an annual figure) for the provision of family practitioner services was £41,872. Similarly for the year 1 January 1984 to 31 December 1984 the average sum was £45,588.
Records of sums received by general medical practitioners from health authorities and other sources of public moneys for which my right hon. Friend has responsibility are not held centrally.