§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average expenditure per patient by general practitioners.
§ Mr. Freemanin 1988–89, the estimated average cost of drugs and appliances prescribed by general medical practitioners per patient in England was about £37. The average cost per patient on the general medical services was about £29.50. These figures are based on provisional and estimated returns and exclude the costs of hospital referrals initiated by general medical practitioners, and the administrative costs of family practitioner committees.