To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of Barnet patients’ appointments were made through the choose and book system in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08 to date; and if he will make a statement. (179015)

The number and percentage of Barnet primary care trust’s general practitioner (GP) referrals to first out-patient appointments booked through the choose and book system was 13,634 (20 per cent.) in 2006-07 and 14,364 (25 per cent.) in the first nine months of 2007-08 (April to the end of December). This compares with national averages of 27 per cent. in 2006-07 and 39 per cent. in 2007-08 to date.