HC Deb 12 March 1956 vol 550 cc12-3
23. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Health what, in 1954–55, in England and Wales, was the average weekly cost per patient in teaching, non-teaching, mental and mental deficiency hospitals, respectively.

Mr. Turton

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Collins

But there are only four figures at the most, and surely the Minister can give them? Will he confirm that it is a fact that the average cost per patient in teaching hospitals in England and Wales is about £22 per week, whereas in Scotland it is only £14, and that the difference is accounted for because in Scotland teaching hospitals come under the regional hospital boards? Will he therefore not only give the figures but say whether he is satisfied with the great disparity between the figures?

Mr. Nabarro

On a point of order Mr. Speaker. Can something be done to protect the time of private Members on this side of the House against the inordinate verbosity of Opposition supplementary questions?

Mr. Speaker

We are certainly making slow progress today.

Mr. Nabarro

That is just what I was saying.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. Collins) appeared to me to be conveying information in his supplementary question, rather than asking for it.

Mr. Collins

Further to that point of order. You will be aware, Mr. Speaker, that I asked for four figures and the Minister did not give them. There were only four figures asked for, and I thought they might be given.

Mr. Turton

In fact, the number is not four figures, it is twelve; and the figures quoted by the hon. Gentleman are not accurate.

Following is the Answer:

The average weekly cost in 1954–55 of maintaining a patient in the principal types of hospitals was:

Non-teaching hospitals £ s. d.
Acute 16 9 0
Mainly acute 14 18 3
Partly acute 12 2 9
Mainly long stay 10 6 7
Long stay 6 19 5
Chronic 7 4 5
Maternity 18 7 3
T.B. and chest 10 19 1
Mental 4 16 9
Mental deficiency 4 12 1
Teaching hospitals
Acute (London) 25 6 0
(Provinces) 20 0 0