§ 33 Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health how many hospital beds there are in the area served by the former London and Middlesex County Councils; how many are governed by teaching hospitals and how many are under the administra- 676 tion of regional hospital boards; and what estimate he has made of the number which are likely to be transferred to teaching hospitals in the next year.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonIn National Health Service hospitals, 51,639; of these 15,654 are administered by boards of governors of teaching hospitals and 35,985 by regional hospital boards.
I am considering further proposals for transfer of beds to teaching hospitals, but have not yet made any decisions.
§ Mr. PavittWhilst recognising the tremendous efforts my right hon. Friend is making to get more doctors in teaching hospitals, may I ask him to bear in mind the long-term cogent reasons for the integration of teaching hospitals with the regional hospital boards?
§ Mr. RobinsonWhen the time comes to consider the long-term aspects of the administration in the London area I shall bear the views of my hon. Friend in mind.