§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress of the implementation of reforms to the national health service.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyProgress on the implementation of the reforms set out in the White Paper "Working for Patients" is proceding according to plan. The number of formal applications received so far from hospitals and units to become National Health Service trusts is 58. We expect about 400 GP practices are likely to undertake preparatory work to become fund holders in April 1991. So far, there have been about 150 expressions of interest to hold practice funds in 1992–93. It would not be practicable to phase in all the proposals set out in the White Paper "Caring for People" from the same date, but we will begin to implement them from 1 April 1991.