§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to introduce legislation relating to the introduction of charges for National Health Service hospital beds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenCharges are already made for private and amenity beds in NHS hospitals and legislation has been introduced to phase out the former category.592W I assume, therefore, that the hon. Member is referring to a charge to cover "hotel" costs. There would be severe problems in introducing such a charge, both of principal and practice; a great many exemptions would be necessary, and the administrative costs would be high. My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to introduce a charge of this kind.