To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had on the possible suspension of regulation 13 of the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2005. (200433)

I discussed this matter with the hon. Member for West Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) recently and explained that there were no plans to suspend regulation 13 of the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2005.

I meet officials regularly to discuss questions of policy. Our White Paper ‘Pharmacy in England Building on Strengths—Delivering the Future’ (Cm7341) published on 3 April 2008 sets out the Government's proposals in relation to pharmacies open at least 100 hours per week which have secured the right to provide NHS services under regulation 13. Full consultation will follow later this summer.