§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were on the waiting list for hospital services, what categories of illness were involved, what was the maximum waiting period, and how many hospital beds were vacant, at the most recent convenient date.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe total number of persons on all hospital waiting lists at 31st March, 1972, was 52,083, when there were about 9,000 unoccupied beds. Waiting lists are maintained as necessary for any specialty. The maxi-130W mum waiting period for admission to hospital is not readily available centrally, but about 5 per cent. of those on waiting lists have been waiting more than two years.