§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he expects that hospitals' waiting lists will be lengthened as a result of recent strikes and industrial action; and if so, by how much;
(2) how many National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales were closed on 22nd January as a result of industrial action;
(3) how many National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales were restricting admissions on 22 January as a result of industrial action;
(4) how many National Health Service patients were evacuated from hospitals because of industrial action that took place on 22 January.
§ Mr. MoyleWaiting lists will inevitably be affected by the current industrial action by Health Service workers and lorry drivers. However, full information about the effects of the industrial action on 22 January and subsequently on hospital services in England and Wales is not at present held centrally.