§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement in the role of the section within the Department of Health which deals with the independent health sector. [36469]
§ Mr. MilburnThis section acts as a liaison point between the Department and the independent health sector. It holds information on the sector and provides briefing to Ministers when required. It has responsibility for matters relating to the registration and inspection of independent hospitals and clinics.
§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the expenditure on acute care in the private sector in each of the last three years. [36465]
§ Mr. Milburn"Laing's Review of Private Healthcare 1997" estimates that the value of the private acute healthcare market in the United Kingdom was £2,009 million in 1994, £2,153 million in 1995 and £2,350 million in 1996.