§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what payments are projected to general practitioners to(a) work up and (b) operate practice budgets.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyEligible practices are able to claim an allowance of up to £16,000 to help meet the costs of the preparatory work necessary in order to become fund holders. From 1 April next year fund-holding practices will be able to claim an annual management allowance of up to £32,000 to help meet the costs incurred in running the fund. In addition, practices which commit themselves formally to participation in the scheme will be able to claim an extra 25 per cent. of the cost of purchasing, leasing or upgrading their computer systems in accordance with a scale to be published in the statement of fees and allowances. This is in addition to the allowance of up to 50 per cent. which all GPs can claim.