§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the capital and current costs of raising the school leaving age in Scotland for the financial year 1973–74.
§ Mr. RossThe costs referred to have not been separately identified. Only a part of the accommodation the additional pupils will occupy will be provided for their needs alone. Current costs are not directly related to numbers of pupils.
224Wdale and Holland, has to wait to be examined, under the National Health Service, on an out-patient basis, by a consultant in orthopaedics, ear nose and throat, urology, obstetrics and gynaecology; and how this compares with the national average waiting time.
§ Mr. CrossmanPatients living in the Urban Districts of Abram, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Billinge-with-Winstanley, Ince, Orrell and Holland are normally referred to the out-patient Department at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan. Patients from Skelmersdale are referred to the Ormskirk District General Hospital.
The following Table shows the percentage of patients seen within prescribed periods (other than those seen without delay on grounds of urgency) by specialty, at each of the two hospitals and in England and Wales as a whole, as at September 1968:—