§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North of 12 July 1983, Official Report, c. 327, why no information is kept on the total complement of beds, wards and operating theatres within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenWe do not have sufficient need nationally for this information on bed complements to562W justify the cost and burden of routine collection. The reasons were explained more fully in my letter to my hon. Friend of 20 July 1983. This applies equally to information about the number of wards. The first report of the health services information steering group recommends that information should be collected on the number of operating theatres. We are at present considering the implications of this report with the chairmen of regional health authorities.