§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many fires have occurred in National Health Service hospitals in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. Whitney[pursuant to his reply, 18 December 1985, c. 234]: The readily available information relates to fires in hospitals (including nursing homes and non-NHS hospitals) in 1980–83. The information is published by the Home Office in "Fire Statistics United Kingdom". Figures for such fires during this period are:
Number 1980 2,160 1981 2,081 1982 2,213 1983 2,243 The figure for 1984 is not yet available.
Information on National Health Service hospitals alone could be provided only at disproportionate cost.