§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the average waiting time for each regional hospital board in Northern Ireland for an operation for hernia; if he will give an indication of 371W waiting time for National Health Service patients and private patients under the National Health Service; what is his best estimate of the cost of treatment prior to operation for hernia in each of the areas in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe information requested on average waiting times for hernia operations is not available nor is it possible to estimate the cost of treatment of patients prior to operation.