§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present number of pay beds in National Health Service hospitals in England; and what are the corresponding figures for each of the past two years.
§ Sir George YoungThe information is as follows:
Date Number of pay beds 27 July 1981 2,408* 27 July 1980 2,402 27 July 1979 2,617 * In addition, 41 pay beds have been authorised for use only when private patients need to be admitted in an emergency at times when existing pay beds are occupied.