asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether, during the past five years, he has asked for an inquiry into the distribution of the National Health Service rural practices fund in any part of England;(2) whether he is satisfied that the National Health Service rural practices fund is being distributed equitably in England;(3) what is the annual value of the rural practices fund in England and Wales;(4) for what purpose the rural practices fund was established under the National Health Service.
The rural practices fund was established to compensate rural general medical practitioners for the extra travelling expenses incurred and the extra time involved in visiting patients in a rural practice. The fund in England and Wales for 1977–78 amounted to £4,252,000 and an increase with effect from 1st April 1978 has been recommended by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration. Distribution of the fund is made by family practitioner committees in accordance with the detailed provisions of the rural practice payments scheme which is designed to secure the equitable distribution of the fund among rural practitioners. I am advised on the operation of the scheme by a central advisory committee, which includes representatives of the medical profession. My right hon. Friend has not asked for any inquiry into the distribtuion of the fund in any part of England during the last five years.