§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list and give the number of beds in each of the private hospitals in Northern Ireland which offer acute medical and surgical care; and if he will list and give the number of beds in each of the private hospitals known to him which are being built or which have been granted planning permission.
§ Mr. John PattenThere are two private hospitals in Northern Ireland, the Ulster Independent clinic and the St. John of God hospital, which provide acute medical and surgical care. The number of beds in each is 38 and 50 respectively although the latter are not used exclusively for acute care. I am not aware of any proposals to provide further private beds in the Province.