asked the Minister of Health when he expects the Fraser Joint Working Party on General Practice to present its report.

I have nothing to add to my reply to a similar Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Tyne-mouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 23rd March.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that Answer caused a great deal of discomfort in the medical profession. It means that two years after the Annis Gillie Report doctors will have to wait another long time before this final report is made. Again it is in the right hon. Gentleman's interest to try to encourage the Working Party to bring in a report much sooner than he has indicated. Is publication of the report in any way related to the decision pending before the Review Body?

In my answer to my hon. Friend, I did not envisage any date because he asked the Question before the Working Party was set up. I am entirely in sympathy with what the hon. Member for Greenock (Dr. Mabon) has said, but we would not, I think, be justified in asking the Working Party to work to a timetable. The Working Party met at the earliest possible date after the receipt of names and membership from the professions, and there is to be another meeting this week.