§ Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many skateboard accidents have been treated in National Health Service hospitals during the last year for which figures are available; and what is the estimated cost of such accidents.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe information is not available in the form requested. During 515W the period 1 February to 31 August 1978 the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection's home accident surveillance system has shown that, in a sample of 18 hospital accident and emergency departments in England and Wales, 621 patients were treated following accidents with skateboards, 29 of whom were admitted as in-patients. It is estimated that the total cost of their treatment might be of the order of £12,000 at November 1978 prices.