---

Out-of-Hours GP Services

May I extend my condolences to the family of Marjorie Alderson? As for attracting doctors, the hon. Lady is right: some parts of the country seem to be experiencing difficulties, whereas others are not. That is one of the points to come out of the report by Dr. Colin-Thomé and Professor Field, as well as my discussions with those in some out-of-hours services. I am not entirely clear, in that the issue does not seem to be funding or how much the GPs are paid. Rather, there seems to be a reluctance among GPs in some areas to get involved in out-of-hours services, whereas in other areas they are anxious to get involved. It is important to get to the bottom of that and identify exactly why the problem that the hon. Lady has identified is occurring.