To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining the proposed formula for deprivation allowances in relation to general medical practitioners' contracts arrived at by the DHSS in Northern Ireland, listing those electoral wards which would qualify for the allowance under that formula and indicating the Government's conclusions regarding that proposal.

[holding answer 14 March 1990]: It was agreed with the General Medical Services Committee (NI) that the index of social deprivation should be used as the basis for calculation of the deprivation supplement in Northern Ireland.Further work has been undertaken to refine the Northern Ireland index.This work is nearing completion and the results will be the subject of further consultation with the profession's negotiators.