§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what basis the Avon local pharmaceutical committee, at a meeting on 21 March, appointed members to the proposed new committee to deal with dispensing contracts before the authority to do so conferred by the National Health Service (Amendment) Bill had been agreed to by Parliament; if he will issue guidance to local pharmaceutical committees to the effect that they should not take any action in anticipation of Parliament's approval of the new legislative framework for pharmacists' contracts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeI am advised that on 21 March the Avon local pharmaceutical committee, in anticipation of the introduction of new arrangements for allocating National Health Service pharmacy contracts, agreed nominations by the pharmacy practices sub-committee, which will be 503W established under the proposed new arrangements, and submitted them to the Family Practitioner Committee Administrator, who has noted them.
A pharmacy practices sub-committee has not been established in Avon and no appointments have been decided. Commencement of the new arrangements will depend on the successful passage through Parliament of the National Health Service (Amendment) Bill. Family practitioner committees are fully aware of the current arrangements and there is no need to issue guidance at this stage.