HC Deb 25 March 1980 vol 981 c526W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing for each of the years 1975–76 to 1979–80 the number of private beds in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland, by specialisation.

Mr. Fairgrieve

Since 1 April 1969, no specific beds in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland have been set aside for use by private patients; instead, private patients within the number of authorised pay beds allowed are accommodated in any suitable bed in a hospital to which such authorisation relates. Authorisations are not granted for particular specialisations.

The following table sets out the number of pay beds authorised in Scotland in each calendar year within the period:

Year No. of authorised pay beds
1975 234
1976 234
1977 184
1978 149
1979 114
1980 94