§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much income, by region, has been generated by private patient facilities in NHS hospitals in each year since 1987–88.
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 10 May 1993]Figures of total income from private in-patients and out-patients, derived from annual accounts submitted to the Department, are shown in the table.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI have been asked to reply.
Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) last inspected the incinerator at Hillingdon hospital on 4 August 1992 in connection with an associated liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage installation.
HSE learned on 15 April that a steam boiler tube associated with the incinerator had failed on 16 March 1993. HSE has obtained confirmation from the operator of the incinerator that all the necessary thorough examinations had been made before the incident and that no 261W repairs affecting safety had been required. HSE has also been informed that the water treatment system to prevent corrosion has since been modified and that a new boiler will be installed in June 1993. Failure of a boiler tube is detected by an automatic monitoring system which shuts down the boiler and presents no danger to employees or local residents.
It is the duty of the operator of the incinerator to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and the health and safety of others, including local residents, in connection with its operation. We are satisfied with H SE's arrangements to monitor the operator's compliance with health and safety legislation and that the statutory requirements in respect of the incinerator have been complied with.
Responsibility for inspecting environmental pollution matters under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 rests with Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.