§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 30 March,Official Report, col 716, what indication the information obtained from energy consumption returns gives of the change in the number of hospitals between 1 April 1994 and 1 April 1995; and if she will publish the numbers and make a statement. [25897]
§ Mr. MaloneThe change in the number of hospitals in England between 1 April 1994 and 1 April 1995 obtained from energy consumption returns is not yet available. These figures have to be treated with caution because they do not define hospitals in accordance with section 128 of the National Health Service Act 1977 and include estimates for incomplete returns.