HC Deb 08 November 1995 vol 265 cc984-5W
Sir Ralph Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of(a) patients on waiting lists for hospital treatment and waiting times, (b) hospital beds available, (c) hospital staff employed, (d) hospital managers and hospital administrative and clerical staff employed, (e) hospital doctors employed, (f) hospital nurses and midwives employed, (g) medical students qualifying and (h) medical school places available in each year since 1989 to the latest date available. [40621]

Mr. Malone

[holding answer 31 October 1995]: The information available for England is shown in the table. The numbers of managers and administrative and clerical staff and total numbers employed in hospitals, as distinct from the hospital and community health services, are not available separately.

disputed is the proper extent of the adjustment. We have announced that a review of the area cost adjustment is to be carried out.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authorities concerning the area cost adjustment. [40333]

Sir Paul Beresford

I have received many representations from local authorities about the area cost adjustment. There have been representations both supportive and critical of the present method of determining the adjustment.

Mr. Bill Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the area cost adjustment element of the standard spending assessments. [40349]

Mr. Hain

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the area cost adjustment element of standard spending assessments. [40360]

Sir Paul Beresford

I refer the hon. Members to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs) on 17 October,Official Report, columns 185–86.

Mr. Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to reduce the proportion of funding allocations by area cost adjustment within the standard spending assessment. [40352]

Sir Paul Beresford

It is the policy of my right hon. Friend that the amount allocated by the area cost adjustment should be determined on an objective basis.