§ 17. Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from general practitioners about the proposed changes in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythAbout 1,650 letters from GPs and members of the public have been received about the White Paper on the Health Service "Working for Patients", and/or the new contract for general practitioners. Agreement on all the major outstanding contract issues was reached with the profession's negotiators on 4 May.
22. Mr. Alan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in implementing policies of competitive budgeting in the National Health Service in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythSince the last general election savings from competitive tendering have increased from £600,000 to £25 million on 74 contracts. This represents substantial additional resources for patient care in Scotland's health service over the next three to four years. Boards will continue to make progress in both the scope and range of services to put to competitive tender and are much encouraged by their success to date.
§ 44. Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received supporting his proposals for the National Health Service in Scotland.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythMost correspondence on the White Paper has shown support for some proposals and criticism of others. It is not therefore appropriate to categorise the responses in the manner requested.
§ Mr. SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further representations he has received from doctors in the Borders about the proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients" since his reply of 5 April,Official Report, column 231, to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Mr. McKelvey).
§ Mr. RifkindIt is not possible to supply the information in the form requested. About 30 letters have been received from doctors in the Borders region since 5 April 1989, either direct or through hon. Members about the White Papers "Promoting Better Health" and/or "Working for Patients" and/or the new contract for GPs.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many replies have been received to the letter sent to general practitioners in Scotland by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth) on 12 April.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythAbout 762 letters have been received from GPs since I wrote on 12 April, but it is not possible to identify which of these are specifically in 179W response to my letter. Agreement on all the major outstanding contract issues was reached with the profession's negotiators on 4 May.