HC Deb 12 March 2002 vol 381 cc1024-5W
Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy towards family doctor practices that wish to replace a full-time partner with two half-time doctors. [6761]

Mr. Hutton

I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer him to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.

As set out in the NHS Plan (paragraph 13.11) the Medical Practices Committee will be abolished on 31 March 2002 and its functions devolved to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). In future therefore PCTs will be responsible for determining these matters in line with our policy of devolving power and responsibility to the local level.