asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what efforts he is making to improve his Department's relationship with the pharmaceutical industry following the limited list controversy; and if he will make a statement.

We continue to seek to achieve a fair balance in the public interest between the needs of the National Health Service as a customer and the pharmaceutical industry as a contributor to the national economy and major employer. We have acknowledged the industry's desire for a period of stability in its relations with the Government. We expect shortly to begin discussions on the extension or renegotiation of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme. We are currently consulting the industry on the permanent arrangements for obtaining advice to review and keep up to date the selected list of medicines for the National Health Service.