To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reduction of deprivation payments to General Practitioners within the Oldham family health services authority area and the resulting decision to abandon plans to extend their premises and improve their services. [37421]

Deprivation payments are based on the Jarman index and 1991 census data. The move to 1991 census data, recommended by the independent Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body in its latest report, is one agreed by the profession and my Department. A generous transitional protection scheme has been agreed with the profession to protect those affected.