asked the Minister of Health how many local medical committees within the National Health Service are elected by their constituent general practitioners with proper and adequate arrangements for postal voting, and how many are not.

Recognition as a local medical committee under the National Health Service is dependent on satisfactory voting arrangements. I understand that a majority of these committees are elected by postal ballot.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that does not give the figures of those not elected and that this is a matter of deep regret to many doctors? It is surely in the Minister's own interests that doctors should not feel frustrated in making representations through the proper machinery of the National Health Service; but is he aware that many do feel frustrated and have expressed themselves accordingly at recent conferences? Will the hon. Gentleman look urgently into this matter?

My right hon. Friend will certainly look into this. He is, of course, concerned that these committees should be representative and there are very few whose constitutions have not been approved. Inquiries are being made into this matter now.