HC Deb 25 January 1999 vol 324 cc102-3W
Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the proportion of all private beds in use at any specific time. [66389]

Ms Jowell

In 1996–97, the latest figures for which information is available, 50.4 per cent. of beds in private hospitals and clinics in England registered under Section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984 were occupied at the time of inspection. Information on occupancy of private beds in National Health Service hospitals is not collected centrally.

Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) private hospitals there are in England and Wales, (b) private beds there are in these hospitals and (c) private beds there are in NHS hospitals in England and Wales. [66388]

Ms Jowell

At 31 March 1998 there were 396 private hospitals and clinics in England with a total of 11,089 registered beds. Information on the number of private beds in NHS hospitals is not currently collected centrally.

The figures for Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales.