§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will fund the establishment of primary health care centres at strategic locations to deal with out-of-work calls by patients for medical advice and assistance; and if he will make a statement. [32999]
§ Mr. MaloneWe recently offered a package of proposals designed to encourage family doctors to organise together to provide their out-of-hours care. As part of this package, we offered to make available an extra £45 million to support general practitioners' out-of-hours services, including primary care centres. Discussions with the profession are continuing.