asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the new arrangements for the remuneration of chemists; on what date these new arrangements will come into force; and what notice was given of the proposed changes.

The amount of the overhead on-cost, added to the price of drugs and certain appliances, is to be reduced from 33 per cent. to 16 per cent. from 1st May; but if a different percentage is agreed on the Whitley Council, or is awarded by an arbitrator, that different percentage will be substituted as from 1st May. The proposal to reduce the on-cost was submitted to the Whitley Council on 18th March: the Chemists' Contractors' Committee were consulted on 14th April, about the date from which the reduction should take effect.