asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements currently exist for the advertising of vacancies in general medical practices in rural Wales.

In accordance with Regulation 10 of the National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1974 a family practitioner committee in England and Wales may give, in such manner as it thinks fit, public notice of any vacancy for a doctor in its area.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements currently exist for the provision of general medical care in practices in rural Wales pending the filling of vacancies in those practices.

This is a matter for the local family practitioner committee, which has the responsibility for securing the proper treatment of patients in its area. This responsibility is normally discharged where there is a practice vacancy by the appointment of a locum tenens or by arrangements with doctors in neighbouring practices. I shall be writing to the hon. Member on the details of an individual case to which he has drawn my attention.