§ 38. Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to protect the income of general practitioners in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythIn the White Paper "Working for Patients" we said that we would safeguard the position of doctors in the less-populated areas of Scotland. I wrote to all general practitioners in Scotland on 16 March to make it clear that a Scottish doctor who cannot increase his practice size and who offers a good standard of service to his patients will not suffer a reduction in his income through no fault of his own. I am now receiving the views of GPs which my letter requested and will announce the Government's proposals shortly.