§ Mr. Wrayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures for the accumulated debt owed to the National Health Service for services given to private patients since 1979: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThis information is not collected centrally. However, from the summarised accounts of health authorities in England for 1986–87 (as yet unaudited) we estimate that some £11 million was outstanding at 31 March 1987, the vast majority of which health authorities expect to recover. Departmental guidance, issued in March 1986, should ensure that proper statutory charges are levied and collected.