§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service patients have received private treatment paid for by the National Health Service in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, respectively; and how many of these patients were treated in (a) private hospitals and (b) on National Health Service property or using National Health Service facilities by National Health Service consultants doing private work.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNone. Health authorities are not empowered to pay for private treatment, although they may contract with independent hospitals to provide services for National Health Service patients. National Health Service patients do not, by definition, receive private treatment in National Health Service hospitals.