§ Mr. Michael MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance has been given to general practitioners on planning their own practice ancillary staff and premises for the financial year 1990–91; and what is his assessment of the minimum period of notice of the terms of the cash-limited budget issued by family practitioner committees to enable general practitioners to plan effectively;
(2) whether family practitioner committee cash-limited budgets for ancillary staff and premises are to come into operation on 1 April; and when they will be circulated.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyFamily practitioner committees will shortly receive cash allocations for 1990–91 for general practitioners' practice staff and premises improvements. General practitioners were given detailed information about the new arrangements in "The 1990 Contract" in August and also in the revised statement of fees and allowances in December. In addition, family practitioner committees were issued management guidance on the cash allocations in November. General practitioners will be aware of our undertaking to fund the898W cost of reimbursements for all posts and schemes accepted by family practitioner committees by 31 March 1990. We are satisfied that general practitioners have the information they need to plan effectively their improved services from 1 April.