§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent waiting lists have been reduced for National Health Services operations and consultations.
§ Mr. MellorThe most recent figures, for March 1988, show that, on a comparative basis with previous statistics, the waiting list for hospital in-patient treatment stood at 678,800. This is 1.3 per cent. lower than March 1987 and almost 10 per cent. lower than March 1979. Information on waiting time for out-patient consultations is not collected centrally.