HC Deb 09 March 1989 vol 148 cc652-3W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on encouraging a diversity of ownership of private residential and nursing homes.

Mr. Mellor

We welcome a broad-based service developed in response to public demand. The extent to which individuals, companies or charitable bodies own private residential care or nursing homes is a matter for their commercial judgment.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many establishments which were formerly used as local authority homes or National Health Service hospitals are now used for private residential or nursing care;

(2) how many former poor law institutions are currently still used for (a) local authority residential care, (b) National Health Service in-patient care, (c) private residential care and (d) private nursing care.

Mr. Mellor

We do not hold the information requested centrally.