asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will have discussions with the British Medical Association concerning the right of doctors to take patients off their lists without giving a reason; and if he will make a statement.

Since the inception of the National Health Service it has been thought that where there is a breakdown in the doctor-patient relationship it is better for both that the professional relationship should cease. The right of a doctor to have a patient removed from his list is therefore contained in his terms of service with the health board. Patients also have the right to change doctors at any time without giving reasons.Any patient having difficulty in obtaining acceptance on a doctor's list may be assigned to a doctor by the health board.