§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance(a) for computerisation and information technology and (b) otherwise, he proposes to offer to general practitioners of medicine to carry out additional duties arising from the implementation of his White Paper, "Working for Patients"; and, in each case, what is his estimate of the cost of such assistance.
§ Mr. FreemanI refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Mr. Warren) on 28 November 1989 at columns228–231. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary legislation, in recognition of the additional work which practices will need to undertake in 1990–91 to prepare for fund-holding, costs incurred on these tasks will be reimbursed up to a maximum of £16,000. Practices which join the fund-holding scheme will be eligible for an annual management allowance of up to £32,000. The cost will depend on the number of fund-holders.