§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the actual and percentage increase being charged for private beds in National Health Service hospitals from 1st April onwards; what has been the increase to the National Health Service of the cost of these beds since 8th November last year; and what percentage of the cost increase is being absorbed in the light of the guidance contained in the code for increases in the price of goods and services during the second stage of the Government's prices and incomes policy.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe daily charges determined for private resident patients in National Health Service hospitals for the year beginning 1st April 1973 represent the following increases over those for the previous year:
tion, will be incurred during the year beginning 1st April 1973 in the provision of hospital services, and to do otherwise would be in breach of the statute.