§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average qualified nurse to patient ratio in each of the last five years by region.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 9 December 1994]: A nurse to patient ratio is shown in the table and incorporates all patient types. It is not an absolute measure but gives an indication of trends. It does not take account of the changes over time of the intensity of nursing activity per patient as hospital stays have shortened.
associations, like other borrowers, only if they have chosen to indemnify their lenders against the effects of future tax changes. My right hon. and learned Friend sees no basis in these circumstances for excluding lending to housing associations from the scope of his proposal; he will, however, be considering representations that a degree of transitional protection should he extended to lending already made to them.