§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 30 March,Official Report, column 899, what use is made of the information provided in the regular returns from registration and inspection units under the Registered Homes Act 1984; if she will place this information in the Library; and if she will place in the Library the national list of cancelled registrations.
§ Mr. BowisThe statistical returns on registration under part II of the Registered Homes Act 1984 are the only source of official information on the numbers of beds in private nursing homes and hospitals. They are used widely both inside and outside the Departments to inform policy and planning. They are published annually as "Private Hospitals, Homes and Clinics Registered Under Section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984". Copies are placed in the Library annually.
The national list of cancelled regisrations is a confidential document made available only to health authorities and local authority social services departments. The Department's registration under the Data Protection Act precludes placing this document in the Library.