§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide a table showing the number of hospital beds available by specialty in each region in each year since 1979–80.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe available information has been published and copies of the national and regional summaries are available in the Library. The data for the years 1979 to 1986 are contained in the publication "Hospital Statistics—Form SH3", which records bed availability at individual specialty level. The data for the years 1987–88 to 1991–92 are contained in the "Summary of Bed Availability—Form KHO3". These data are classified by broad ward category, recognising the more flexible use of bed facilities. The summaries for 1992–93 are to be published shortly and copies will be placed in the Library.