To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to introduce a system of limited drug prescribing for qualified nurses; and if he will make a statement.

We support the principle of nurse prescribing. The advisory group report on nurse prescribing and comments received during the consultation period identified a number of issues that require further work, which we are urgently carrying forward.

Although the Government's support for limited nurse prescribing is welcome, does the Minister acknowledge the suspicion that the Government are using delaying tactics by establishing independent cost benefit analysis of some of the problems that the consultation process reveals? When will we know the terms of reference of that analysis, and may we have an assurance that if it suggests that additional costs will be incurred because people who do not currently receive prescriptions will do so in future, that will not be a deciding factor in vetoing the scheme's introduction?

I hope to disabuse the hon. Gentleman of such suspicions. The cost benefit analysis is important, and we hope to announce the details shortly. We will certainly make all the information available. However, there are other issues to be considered—such as deciding the precise formula, training, and the relationship between nurse and general practitioner prescribing. It is a complex matter, but the concept has strong support and we shall carry forward that work.

Is my hon. Friend aware that many practice nurses would welcome a limited prescribing arrangement? With proper training and a sensible list of drugs, it should be possible for nurses to relieve their practitioners of regular prescribing, thus releasing them for other work. When that bright initiative is in place, will the nurses be encouraged to prescribe generically, as is done in hospitals?

My hon. Friend makes a strong case, for nurse prescribing, as did my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington (Mr. Fishburn), when he introduced his ten-minute Bill last week. Such an arrangement would help not only practice nurses but health visitors and district nurses. Many argue that they, too, could helpfully prescribe a limited range of items. With the greater emphasis being placed on community care, those other categories could certainly play a fuller part. I give my hon. Friend the assurance that he seeks. We are carrying forward that work and we want to see nurses play their part in prescribing.