asked the Minister of Health to what extent it is the practice of local medical committees to circularise doctors that the sending in of claims on Form E.C.31 (Anaesthetists' Fees) is discouraged.

I know that some local medical committees think it fairer to all concerned that anaesthetists' fees should be treated on a "knock-for-knock" basis in order to avoid first charges on the sum to be distributed among all the doctors in the locality. This is a matter for professional agreement, in which my right hon. Friend is not concerned.