HC Deb 22 June 1989 vol 155 c220W
Mr. Lofthouse

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the circumstances in which chairmen of family practitioner committees act as agents of the Secretary of State.

Mr. Mellor

[holding answer 19 June 1989]: I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien) on 6 June 1989 at column 105.

Mr. Lofthouse

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the powers of chairmen of family practitioner committees.

Mr. Mellor

[holding answer 19 June 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. French) on 24 January 1989 at column 538.

Mr. Lofthouse

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines about their responsibilities he gives chairmen of family practitioner committees on appointment.

Mr. Mellor

[holding answer 19 June 1989]: General guidance for chairmen, members and staff of family practitioner committees is issued as and when necessary in order to enable them to discharge the varied responsibilities placed upon them. The guidance takes many forms. The Department customarily invites newly appointed chairmen to a specially arranged seminar for this purpose.