§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many National Health Service hospital wards have been closed either permanently or temporarily in Wales in each of the years since 1979; and whether these closures were due to(a) shortages of medical staff, (b) shortages of equipment or (c) lack of funds.
§ Mr. GristThis information is not available centrally. I must point out, however, that the growth in the recurrent revenue resources available to health authorities in the period 1978–79 to 1987–88 is over £172 million after adjustment for inflation and this represents a growth rate of almost 32 per cent. in the period. In addition, there are 13.3 per cent. more doctors and dentists and 10.7 per cent. more nurses than there were in 1979.
129WThere has also been a substantive investment in new and updated equipment. Throughout this period there has also been a very substantial programme of new hospital building.