§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of beds in the NHS. [136688]
§ Mr. DenhamAs a result of the National Health Service Plan there will be 7,000 extra beds by 2004. Of these, on current assumptions, 2,100 will be in general and acute wards, the first increase of its kind in 30 years. The remaining 5,000 will be in intermediate care.