§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute a survey of individual patients' records to determine how many epidural anaesthetics have been administered in the last two years in North Staffordshire hospitals; and how many of these have been given to National Health Service patients.
§ Mr. AlisonNo. This would involve a review of over 50,000 individual 157W records. I understand that the statistical clinical survey into obstetric anaesthetics which I referred to in my reply to the hon. Member on 21st April 1972 has now begun; and although not primarily designed for this purpose it may elicit the kind of information the hon. Member seeks.—[Vol. 835, c. 772.]