Agenda item 3 is to consider whether to take further action on the response that the committee received to its freedom of information request to the Department for Work and Pensions on the geographical breakdown of work capability assessment figures for Scotland. I think that everyone has seen the response. We have a paper that suggests a couple of things that we could do on the back of that. Colleagues have had a chance to look at it, so I open it up for suggestions. Are members happy with the recommendations?
Both the recommendations are worthy of pursuit.
I agree. I just seek clarification of one point. Are general practitioners’ contracts under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Government’s health department or the United Kingdom Government?
The distinct contract is with the Scottish Government.
I do not think that it is as clear cut as that.
The British Medical Association negotiated them throughout the UK, but I think that the national health service in Scotland is responsible for implementation here. I think that that is how it works.
That being the case, we will move into private session for agenda item 4.
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