§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many small independent pharmacies there are in the United Kingdom; how many there were in 1992; and what estimate he has made of how many supermarkets have opened pharmacies since 1992. [12120]
§ Mr. MaloneIt is not possible to give the information in the form requested. In the financial year 1992–93 there were 6,579 independent pharmacies in England. The comparable figure for 1994–95 was 6,330. Independent pharmacies are defined as including chains of four or less and exclude pharmacies in health centres, for which a breakdown is not available. No information is available centrally on supermarkets which have opened pharmacies. Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.