HC Deb 25 July 1989 vol 157 c664W
28. Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the British Medical Association; and what subjects were discussed.

38. Mr. Latham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make a statement on his latest discussions with the British Medical Association regarding the White Paper, "Working for Patients."

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I last met the British Medical Association on 15 June when we talked about the Government's proposals for the Health Service. Although the BMA expressed opposition to some of the proposals, they continued to support a number of our planned reforms including medical audit, the principle of money following the patient, the extension of resource management and the greater involvement of doctors in management. Both sides expressed their unconditional support to the underlying principles of the Health Service.

64. Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he is now able to give an assessment of the current relations between his Department and the doctors within the British Medical Association membership.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Although I very much regret the hostile and unconstructive stance that the BMA as an association has taken towards our plans for the Health Service, I know that there is strong support for the principles on which our reforms for the Health Service are based and for many of our individual proposals among doctors in the hospital service and in general practice.