§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will tabulate the number of beds in hospitals of each regional health authority that have been closed in 1989 to a recent convenient date, and not yet reopened by virtue of shortage of funds; and what action he expects to take to ensure that they reopen in the remainder of 1989 or during 1990.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not hold information on temporary closures and the reasons for them. It is for health authorities to decide when such measures are necessary. Temporary closures may be made for a number of reasons other than financial ones, for example, for building repairs or redecoration.