§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals have been closed throughout the United Kingdom since 1979; and how many hospital beds were lost due to these closures.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeBetween May 1979 and March 1984 180 hospitals were approved for closure in England, involving 11,931 beds, some of which will have been reprovided in new accommodation. The information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who have been asked to let the hon. Member have the details requested.
Since May 1979 the construction of 34 major schemes providing over 11,000 beds in new buildings has been completed. In addition health authorities have completed many smaller schemes providing a further substantial number of new beds and other facilities.