To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department gives to hospitals on the procedures concerning the relative priority with which patients of budget holders may be seen compared to non-budget holder patients; what representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Following representations made by the BMA we discussed this issue with the Joint Consultants Committee; and issued joint guidance to hospital consultants in June 1991 in executive letter (91)84. The guidance clearly states that

"provider units will not offer contracts to one purchaser which would disadvantage the patients of another purchaser".