Debates between Desmond Swayne and David Mowat during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Thu 20th Oct 2016
David Mowat Portrait David Mowat
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I do not have the specifics for my hon. and learned Friend’s constituency in front of me. We have published the full list and it is in the Vote Office, and I am sure that when she has a look at it she will find that some pharmacies in her area are protected.

Desmond Swayne Portrait Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
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It is right to protect services by being more focused, but is there any other kind of commercial retail enterprise to which Government hand an establishment fee of £25,000?

David Mowat Portrait David Mowat
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Not that I know of, but there may well be. The facts are that the £2.8 billion that we currently spend is for services and for disbursing £8 billion-worth of drugs. It is a valuable service, but it is right that we look to see that that money is spent effectively and as effectively as in other parts of the NHS. It is the Government’s job to make sure that every penny that we give the NHS provides maximum value for patients.