§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric beds were available in England and Wales for the most convenient date in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) 1992; and what is her estimate of the number available for each of the next three years.
§ Mr. YeoIn 1970 there were 123,219 beds allocated for use in the psychiatric specialties. The corresponding numbers for 1980 and 1990–91 were 87,396 and 55,239 respectively.
The number of psychiatric beds available in the next three years will depend on the volume of in-patient psychiatric services purchased by health authorities.
Information relating to Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.