§ 27. Mrs. Faithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect the industrial action in the National Health Service has had on hospital waiting lists.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:It is estimated that in England waiting lists have increased by over 145,000 since the dispute began.
§ 43. Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the present number of people awaiting admission to hospital for operations at the latest available date.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:Using provisional figures for 31 March 1982, it is estimated that 600,000 people were on waiting lists for inpatient treatment for surgical specialties in England. The provisional figure for all specialties was 625,000, but information from health authorities suggests that by mid-October 1982 the dispute in the health services may have increased this by some 145,000.