CAB128-94_A1b — Page 125

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He was

good enough for them simply to read out lengthy Departmental briefs couched in technical language. discussing with other interested colleagues what more general advice could be given to Ministers on this issue, and what advantage, if any, could be taken, on a basis agreed between the Parties, of the period between the House's return and the State opening. He would issue further guidance to colleagues in due course.

PRIME MINISTER, summing up a brief discussion, said

it was clear that the advent of television would

the style which Ministers adopted in the House. sion might appear to call for a more impromptu style but there were many Parliamentary occasions on which the precise words used by Ministers were very important. Ministers should use plain language but should not forfeit the authority with which they spoke under the pressure of the new medium. The possibility of providing a lectern on the despate box should be explored. The experience of other Parliaments, such as the Canadian, might provide some helpful lessons. The Lord President of the Council should continue his dission of the issues and arrange guidance to colleagues le course.

The Cabinet

-

ag

Took note, with approval, of the Prime Minister's

summing up of this ar

the Lord President of

NFIDENTIA

the Chancellor of the u

their discussion and invited Council, in consultation with

of Lancaster, to circulate

guidance to colleagues nba course.

OME AFFAIRS

2.

ational ealth

ervice

eform

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revious eference:

C(89) 26.2

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH said that he had had a useful meeting the previous day with representatives of the British Medical Association (EMA). Although this was expected to be a routine business meeting, the Chairman of the BMA had attended. In the course of tsussion, the IMA representatives had accepted his assume that the proposal in the White Paper on the reform or heational Health Service (NHS) to introduce indicative budgets for general practitioners (GPS) would not result situations where patients had to be refused necessary drugs. This was an important breakthrough, since assurance given was not a new one, and had involved concession on his part. Despite initial reluctance the BMA representatives had agreed to the immediate publication a joint statement announcing this development. This waża be most helpful in presenting the Government's case over the coming months, and in countering arguments from the opponents of the NHS reforms that the elderly and sick

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