§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men and (b) women were in National Health Service long-term care in England and Wales on 1 December. [21384]
§ Mr. BoatengThe information is not collected in the form requested. The available information is as follows: in England, in the first six months of 1997–98, health authorities reported 10,900 patients newly meeting eligibility criteria for continuing in-patient care. In the 531W same period, health authorities also reported an average of 16,450 beds occupied each day by patients meeting eligibility criteria for continuing in-patient care (i.e. a total of just of 3 million bed days).
Questions relating to Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.