§ Sir J. Fletcher-Cookeasked the Minister of Health on how many occasions since the introduction of the National Health Service, regional hospital boards have entered into contractual arrangements with private maternity homes for the provision of maternity beds for National Health Service patients; how many have been entered into since October, 1964; what was the price per bed paid from public funds under such arrangements; to what extent it is his present policy to countenance such arrangements in appropriate circumstances; and whether there is now an absolute ban on such arrangements irrespective of circumstances.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonTwenty-nine; none; on average £25 per week; there are 14 such arrangements currently in force, and the last part of the Question does not therefore arise.