§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether information available to him indicates the effect which the provision of pay beds has on National Health Service waiting times in Wales; and if he will estimate the extent of this effect.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsMy right hon. Friend is satisfied that the small number of pay beds presently authorised in Wales which represents 0.2 per cent. of the total beds available does not have a significant effect on waiting times.
§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales on what criteria he determines the number of pay beds he instructs an individual area health authority to provide.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe criteria considered by my right hon. Friend in exercising his powers under sections 65(1) and 66(1) of the National Health Service Act 1977 are those contained in section 62 of that Act and in Welsh health circular WHC(80)14, a copy of which is in the library.