§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by regional health authority and by district health authority, the number of pay beds requisitioned for receiving Gulf casualties; how many national health service beds have been requisitioned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellHealth authorities have not yet been asked to set aside beds for Gulf casualties.
Pay beds are authorised subject only to the statutory requirement that there be no significant disadvantage to 614W NHS patients. Health service managers will ensure that these beds are made available should they be required for Gulf casualties or other priority cases.