§ 8. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Health what progress has been made during recent months in increasing the number of hospital beds in Wales and in bringing the proportion of beds to number of population nearer the proportion in England.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodSchemes completed have added 465 beds which are now being brought into use and building work on other schemes designed to add 266 further beds within the next 12 months has been substantially advanced. Planning for later developments has also proceeded.
§ Mr. GowerWhile I thank the Minister for that reply may I ask him whether he can say what effect progress is having upon the respective proportions?
§ Mr. MacleodI am afraid that the mathematical calculation is beyond me at short notice.
§ Mr. G. ThomasWill the right hon. Gentleman say how far Wales is lagging behind England in the provision of hospital beds?
§ Mr. MacleodIt depends upon one's calculation. If one includes mental and mental deficiency cases, the figures are 11.6 beds per 1,000 population in England and 104 in Wales. If one excludes such categories, the figures are 6.7 and 6.3 respectively.