§ 21. Mr. CouchmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the intended effects of the changes in composition of the family practitioner committees proposed in the White Paper "Working for Patients".
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFamily practitioner committees will have a greatly enhanced management role in future as a result of the implementation of the proposals in the two White Papers: "Promoting Better Health" and "Working for Patients". I therefore intend to create committees more suited to taking the necessary decisions and managing the contracts of the doctors, dentists, opticians and pharmacists in contract with the NHS in their area. I believe that FPCs should play a significant role in protecting and raising the standards of primary health care for patients.