§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the average real costs per week of an ordinary bed and a pay bed in a National Health Service hospital, including the cost of nursing but excluding the cost of surgical or medical care.
§ Dr. OwenBeds occupied by private patients in National Health Service hospitals are not costed separately from those occupied by National Health Service patients. In 1972–73, the latest year for which national figures are available, the average total running costs per week—exclusive of consultants' salaries—of all beds occupied in National Health Service hospitals varied, according to hospital classification, from £27.87—RHB psychiatric hospitals—to £116.64—London teaching hospitals.