HC Deb 07 June 1976 vol 912 cc594-5W
Mr. Ron Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds in the National Health Service are occupied by patients with alcohol related problems; and how this compares with other countries in the Common Market.

Dr. Owen

In England and Wales on 31st December 1973 approximately 1,700 psychiatric beds were occupied by patients with alcohol-related problems. Corresponding information about other NHS beds is not available. Nor is comparable information available from other EEC countries, although some information from other countries, including France, is given in WHO report (1974) "Problems and Programmes related to Alcohol and Drug Dependence in 33 countries".