§ Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether moneys received for private beds in the National Health Service are now retained in the district providing the facility rather than remitted direct to central funds; when this change of practice took place; and how much is expected to be allocated in this way in the current financial year.
§ Mr. MoyleSince April 1976 income received from private in-patients using National Health Service beds has been retained by health authorities to offset the cost of providing facilities and services. Health authorities are, therefore, given net cash limit allocations which recognise this source of additional moneys. The amount of income received by authorities is determined by the number of private in-patients using National Health Service facilities; in 1976–77 it was £24.6 million.