§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those health authorities which in (a) 1984–85, (b) 1985–86 and (c) 1986–87 had at any time to cease or reduce temporarily waiting list admissions in order to cope with emergencies.
§ Mr. NewtonThis information is not collected centrally. There may be limited periods when, for short term reasons, some authorities are unable to perform elective surgery. The urgency with which a particular patient is treated is a matter for the clinical decision of the consultant concerned.