To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answers of 26 March 2008, Official Report, column 201W, on health services: Royal Household and 28 April 2008, Official Report, columns 149-50W, on general practitioners: Buckingham Palace, for what reasons his Department was not aware on 25 March 2008 of the arrangements for provision of primary health care service to staff of the Royal households; and if he will make a statement. (220846)

Primary care trusts have a duty to secure primary medical services or secure their provision within what it considers necessary to meet reasonable requirements. That includes arrangement for the provision of primary health care services to staff of the Royal Household who live in the PCT area.

The Department does not monitor the individual performance of practices or registration of individual patients with the practice.

The arrangements for the provision of primary care services to the Royal Household predate this Government and it was not until after the 25 March 2008 that it was brought to the Department’s attention the arrangement that has historically been provided under existing general medical services.