§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to halt the fraudulent use of National Health Service prescriptions by some general practitioners and chemists for procuring medicines for use overseas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonIt is for family practitioner committees in the first instance to investigate allegations of fraud in respect of contractors with whom they are in contract to provide services under the National Health Service, and to take any necessary action including referring the matter to the police, if appropriate. We are drawing the attention of the relevant family practitioner committees to the allegations made in a recent press article.