§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing for(a) each regional health authority and (b) England as a whole the number of hospital beds by specialty, on the basis of average daily available beds, for each year from 1979–80 to 1991–92; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe available information has been published and copies of the national and regional summaries placed in the Library. The data for 1979 to 1986 are contained in the publication "Hospital Statistics—Form SH3", which records bed availability at individual specialty level. The data for 1987–88 to 1990–91 are contained in the "Summary of Bed Availability—Form KHO3", which implemented the recommendations of the Korner review of health service information. These data are classified by broad ward category, recognising the more flexible use of bed facilities. The summaries for 1991–92 are to be published shortly and copies will be placed in the Library.