§ Mr. Norman Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many private beds in National Health Service hospitals are currently in use; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Dr. Owen:4,570 pay beds are currently authorised in National Health 432W Service hospitals. The latest available figures for actual use show that 52 per cent. were occupied on average in 1973. My information about hospitals where no private patients at all are at present being admitted suggests that these account for some 200 pay beds in total. I am afraid I have no up to date information about the occupancy rate of the remainder.