asked the Minister of Health whether he will take power to provide local health authorities with statutory powers to enable them to contribute towards the capital cost of doctors' group practice centres.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it may be medically desirable to establish group practices in order to cover the widest areas and that the capital required for property or buildings is far beyond the capabilities of an ordinary G.P. or a group of G.P.s to provide? Will he take another look into the case about which I have been corresponding with the Staffordshire local health authority?

There are available powers both for the Group Practice Loans Committee to make loans and for the local authorites to build centres including practice premises. I am aware of the particular problem to which the hon. Gentleman refers. I believe that it can be solved without legislation, and a suggestion has been made to the local authority.

Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the group practice loans schemes cover loans for property for these purposes?

Yes.