§ 7. Major Beamishasked the Minister of Health what is the cost of a bed in a single room private ward in the Victoria Hospital, Lewes; how this compares with the cost of a similar bed in 1938; what are the main reasons for the increase in cost; and what was the profit or loss on the administration of all beds in private wards excluding services rendered by medical practitioners during the last financial year.
§ Mr. Marquand£18 11s. 0d. per week, excluding medical fees, compared with from 4½ to 8 guineas in 1938. The increase is due to increased hospital costs. Exact information is not available on the last part of the Question, but pay bed charges are, under Section 5 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, designed to cover the cost of the accommodation and services provided.