§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East of 9 March,Official Report, columns 869–78, when he expects to reduce the in-patients waiting list to below six months.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 20 March 1990]: The Government do not believe it to be helpful to forecast waiting times, as the management of waiting lists is a matter for health and social services boards. Under the changes flowing from the NHS review, boards as purchasers of services will be keen to have those services deemed necessary for their populations delivered speedily and efficiently. Boards can therefore be expected to regard waiting times as an important criterion in placing and reviewing contracts.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East of 9 March,Official Report, columns 869–78, how many of the persons on the waiting list for (a) less than 12 months and (b) more than 12 months who are unfit for work due to their medical condition, but who can be expected to return to work after treatment, have lost their jobs because of the length of the period of waiting for treatment, or as much of such information as is available to him.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 20 March 1990]: This information is not available.