HC Deb 14 December 1972 vol 848 c232W
Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what increase or decrease he expects to take place in the total number of beds for National Health Service patients in hospitals in Wales.

Mr. Peter Thomas

It is not possible to estimate what changes will take place in the number of beds and their distribution. This will depend on the changing patterns of treatment and care and the outcome of public consultation on the reorganisation of hospital services consequent on the provision of new district general hospitals.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of National Health Service hospital beds per 1,000 population in Wales; and how this compares with the corresponding figure for England.

Mr. Peter Thomas

At 31st December, 1971 the figures were 9.4922 for Wales and 9.1042 for England.