§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Drumalbyn, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in his name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average charge per day for a hospital bed, other than one in a mental hospital, for a private patient under Section 5 of the National Health Acts of 1946 and 1947 in teaching hospitals, and in other hospitals in England and Wales and in Scotland respectively.]
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, the average daily charge for a private bed, other than one in a psychiatric hospital, is about £7 10s. 0d. in teaching hospitals and £5 15s. 0d. in other hospitals in England and Wales, and £6 10s. 0d. in teaching hospitals and £5 10s. 0d. in other hospitals in Scotland.
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether his right honourable friend the Minister of Health will bear this differential in mind when applying the standard charge for which he is asking powers under the forthcoming Health Services and Public Health Bill?
§ LORD KENNETYes, my Lords.