§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 April 2000,Official Report, column 12W, on bed availabilities, how soon after 15 May he will announce targets; and if the base line will be set at 1998–99. [119302]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 17 April 2000]: We shall issue planning guidance for the National Health Service when we publish our response to the National Beds Inquiry consultation. This is likely to be during the summer. The consultation continues until 15 May. No decision has yet been taken about whether to set specific targets for beds as part of the planning guidance.