HC Deb 05 May 1989 vol 152 cc264-5W
Mr. Michael Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many phone calls have been received from doctors by those manning the contact numbers set out in working papers 3 and 4 of the National Health Service White Paper; and whether at any time the contact numbers have had to be suspended.

Mr. Mellor

Telephone contact points were not in fact supplied in the NHS review working papers, as it was envisaged that comments would be submitted in writing to the official addresses which were provided. A number of telephone calls from doctors have nevertheless been received routinely by the Department on these subjects but we hold no record of the total.

Mr. Michael Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters his Department has received from general practitioners expressing general support for the National Health Service White Paper proposals; and how many he has received expressing opposition to the proposals.

Mr. Mellor

We have received some 1,300 representations from general practitioners. Many have questions, many support all or some of the proposals, some only refer to specific aspects. It is not possible to distinguish the letters in the way my hon. Friend suggests.