With a view to securing that the number of medical practitioners undertaking to provide general medical services in the areas of different Health Boards, or in different parts of those areas, is adequate, the Secretary of State shall constitute a committee to be called the Scottish Medical Practices Committee (hereafter in this Act referred to as “the Medical Practices Committee”), for the purpose of considering and determining applications made for inclusion in any list kept by a Health Board of medical practitioners undertaking to provide such services for persons in the Board’s area.

After consulting the Medical Practices Committee, the Secretary of State may give the Committee directions with respect to the exercise of its functions; and it shall be the duty of the Committee to comply with any such directions.

Schedule 2 shall have effect in relation to the Medical Practices Committee.