HC Deb 11 February 1981 vol 998 cc845-6
3. Mr. Adams

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pay beds currently exist in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland; and what he intends to do about this facility in the future.

Mr. Fairgrieve

There are 94 pay beds in Scotland. My right hon. Friend will consider any applications by health boards for his approval for changes in existing authorisations or for new authorisations for pay beds.

Mr. Adams

Would not the Minister consider it unreasonable if there were even one pay bed in Scotland in National Health Service facilities when we have ever-growing queues for the use of life-saving equipment and for life-saving operations? Will he consider issuing a statement to the House condemning the use of NHS facilities—beds and equipment—by specialists and consultants when they could be dealing with the queue of people in the NHS more rapidly by using those facilities to help them?

Mr. Fairgrieve

The answer to the last question is "No, Sir". On the hon. Member's claim that one pay bed is too many, this Government believe that, once people have paid their taxes, rents and rates, if they wish to spend their money on their own health, they are entitled so to do.

Mr. Douglas

Will the Minister take note of the widespread reporting in the press of the incident in the area of Fife health board last year when a Mr. Spence misused facilities—the facts are not in dispute—because he was under the misapprehension that a private patient was involved? Will he take immediate steps to allay fears that this practice might have been widespread in Fife and the surrounding area? Will he meet me and my hon. Friends the Members for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) and Kirkcaldy (Mr. Gourlay) as soon as possible to discuss the matter?

Mr. Fairgrieve

Yes. I have had a letter from those three hon. Members asking me to meet them to discuss this incident in Fife and I intend so to do. The General Medical Council is investigating the case. However, before hon. Members get too heated, I should like to draw their attention to the letter in The Scotsman today from the honorary secretary of the Fife BMA, which begins: I protest in the strongest terms at the reported remarks of Fife Members concerning the medical profession. Would they not feel ill-treated were Parliament to be so abused?

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is unreasonable to read letters in answer to questions.