asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is her policy to encourage the establishment of health centres where GPs, district nurses, midwives and health visitors can operate from the same premises in particular localities; and if she will make a statement.

We are convinced of the importance of health centres as bases for a modern integrated primary health care service provided by doctors, home nurses, midwives, health visitors and other professional workers complementing each other as a team. This co-ordinated approach to health care makes possible more effective treatment for the patient. We accordingly intend to give health centres the maximum priority which the level of available resources will allow, paying particular attention to areas of greatest need.